Maxwell-Chern-Simons Theory With Boundary

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory with a boundary, revealing a unique solution characterized by chiral currents obeying a Kac-Moody algebra, independent of the Maxwell term.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to study boundary effects in MCS theory without computing complex propagators, establishing the existence of a unique boundary solution.

Findings

Existence of a unique boundary solution in MCS theory

Boundary currents form a Kac-Moody algebra

Central charge is independent of the Maxwell term

Abstract

The Maxwell-Chern-Simons (MCS) theory with planar boundary is considered. The boundary is introduced according to Symanzik's basic principles of locality and separability. A method of investigation is proposed, which, avoiding the straight computation of correlators, is appealing for situations where the computation of propagators, modified by the boundary, becomes quite complex. For MCS theory, the outcome is that a unique solution exists, in the form of chiral conserved currents, satisfying a Kac-Moody algebra, whose central charge does not depend on the Maxwell term.