Continuum limit of two-dimensional spin models with continuous symmetry and conformal quantum field theory

Abstract

According to the standard classification of conformal quantum field theory (CQFT) in two dimensions, the massless continuum limit of the O(2) model at the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition point should be given by the massless free scalar field; in particular the Noether current of the model should be proportional to (the dual of) the gradient of the massless free scalar field, reflecting a symmetry enhanced from O(2) to $\mathrm{O}(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{}\mathrm{O}(2)$. More generally, the massless continuum limit of a spin model with a symmetry given by a Lie group $G$ should have an enhanced symmetry $G\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}G$. We point out that the arguments leading to this conclusion contain two serious gaps: (i) the possibility of ``nontrivial local cohomology'' and (ii) the possibility that the current is an ultralocal field. For the two-dimensional O(2) model we give analytic arguments that rule out the first possibility and use numerical methods to dispose of the second one. We conclude that the standard CQFT predictions appear to be borne out in the O(2) model, but give an example where they would fail. We also point out that all our arguments apply equally well to any $G$ symmetric spin model, provided it has a critical point at a finite temperature.