Exact non-abelian duality

TL;DR

This paper derives exact formulas for non-abelian dualities in WZNW models with semisimple gauge groups, demonstrating their quantum consistency in string theory's low energy limit.

Contribution

It provides the first exact duality formulas for non-abelian gaugings of WZNW models applicable at all levels, clarifying their quantum validity.

Findings

Exact duality formulas for semisimple gauge groups

Duality well-defined at all levels in string theory

Quantum consistency of non-abelian dualities

Abstract

We investigate non-abelian gaugings of WZNW models. When the gauged group is semisimple we are able to present exact formulae for the dual conformal field theory, for all values of the level $k$. The results are then applied to non-abelian target space duality in string theory, showing that the standard formulae are quantum mechanically well defined in the low energy limit if the gauged group is semisimple.