TQFT versus RCFT: 3-d topological invariants

TL;DR

This paper establishes a direct connection between two major approaches to 3-dimensional topological invariants: topological quantum field theory and rational conformal field theory, clarifying their relationship.

Contribution

It provides a straightforward relationship between TQFT and RCFT approaches to 3D topological invariants, bridging two theoretical frameworks.

Findings

Established a direct link between TQFT and RCFT for 3D invariants

Clarified the relationship between Witten's TQFT and Kohno's RCFT approaches

Facilitated understanding of topological invariants through two different theories

Abstract

A straightforward relationship between the two approaches to 3-dimensional topological invariants, one of them put forward by Witten in the framework of topological quantum field theory, and the second one proposed by Kohno in terms of rational conformal field theory, is established.