Conformal invariance from scale invariance in non-linear sigma models

TL;DR

This paper investigates the relationship between scale invariance and conformal invariance in non-linear sigma models near two dimensions, showing that scale invariance implies conformal invariance in this context.

Contribution

It demonstrates that scale invariance leads to conformal invariance in non-linear sigma models in 2+ε dimensions, extending previous arguments and addressing potential loopholes.

Findings

Scale invariance implies conformal invariance in non-linear sigma models in 2+ε dimensions.

Addresses and overcomes a loophole in naive dimensional extension arguments.

Utilizes Ricci flow techniques inspired by Perelman's work.

Abstract

There exists a certain argument that in even dimensions, scale invariant quantum field theories are conformal invariant. We may try to extend the argument in $2n + \epsilon$ dimensions, but the naive extension has a small loophole, which indeed shows an obstruction in non-linear sigma models in $2+\epsilon$ dimensions. Even though it could have failed due to the loophole, we show that scale invariance does imply conformal invariance of non-linear sigma models in $2+\epsilon$ dimension from the seminal work by Perelman on the Ricci flow.