Conformal field theory: a case study

TL;DR

This paper provides an introductory overview of the Wess-Zumino-Witten model in two-dimensional conformal field theory, including its exact solution and boundary considerations from a functional integral perspective.

Contribution

It offers a detailed, accessible explanation of the exact solution construction for the Wess-Zumino-Witten model, emphasizing the functional integral approach.

Findings

Explicit construction of the Wess-Zumino-Witten model solution

Discussion of boundary conditions in conformal field theory

Clarification of the functional integral method in CFT

Abstract

This is a set of introductory lecture notes devoted to the Wess-Zumino-Witten model of two-dimensional conformal field theory. We review the construction of the exact solution of the model from the functional integral point of view. The boundary version of the theory is also briefly discussed.