Non-linear sigma models on arbitrary genus Riemann surfaces

Abstract

Abstract A Ward-Takahashi type identity is obtained for two insertions of the energy-momentum tensor of the non-linear sigma model on an arbitrary Riemann surface. The identity shows explicitly how the Virasoro algebra is violated by spurious terms generated by the trace anomaly. Requiring these terms to vanish leads to a set of constraints on the graviton and dilaton background fields, which are necessary for the algebra to be restored. Although the modular parameters play an important role in the computation, the background field equations turn out to be genus independent up to order α ′.