Modular invariant partition function of critical dense polymers

TL;DR

This paper exactly solves a lattice model of critical dense polymers on a torus, introduces a modified trace to account for nonlocal loops, and connects the results to the conformal field theory of symplectic fermions.

Contribution

It develops a novel approach using an extended algebra and modified trace to compute the partition function of dense polymers on a torus, linking lattice models to conformal field theory.

Findings

Eigenvalues obtained via inversion identity

Modified trace captures non-contractible loops

Partition function matches symplectic fermions CFT

Abstract

A lattice model of critical dense polymers is solved exactly for arbitrary system size on the torus. More generally, an infinite family of lattice loop models is studied on the torus and related to the corresponding Fortuin-Kasteleyn random cluster models. Starting with a cylinder, the commuting periodic single-row transfer matrices are built from the periodic Temperley-Lieb algebra extended by the shift operators Omega and Omega^{-1}. In this enlarged algebra, the non-contractible loop fugacity is alpha and the contractible loop fugacity is beta. The torus is formed by gluing the top and bottom of the cylinder. This gives rise to a variety of non-contractible loops winding around the torus. Because of their nonlocal nature, the standard matrix trace does not produce the proper geometric torus. Instead, we introduce a modified matrix trace for this purpose. This is achieved by using a representation of the enlarged periodic Temperley-Lieb algebra with a parameter v that keeps track of the winding of defects on the cylinder. The transfer matrix representatives and their eigenvalues thus depend on v. The modified trace is constructed as a linear functional on planar connectivity diagrams in terms of matrix traces Tr_d (with a fixed number of defects d) and Chebyshev polynomials of the first kind. For critical dense polymers, where beta=0, the transfer matrix eigenvalues are obtained by solving a functional equation in the form of an inversion identity. The solution depends on d and is subject to selection rules which we prove. Simplifications occur if all non-contractible loop fugacities are set to alpha=2 in which case the traces are evaluated at v=1. In the continuum scaling limit, the corresponding conformal torus partition function obtained from finite-size corrections agrees with the known modular invariant partition function of symplectic fermions.