Zero-mode, winding number and quantization of abelian sigma model in (1+1) dimensions

Abstract

We consider the $ U(1) $ sigma model in the two dimensional space-time which is a field-theoretical model possessing a nontrivial topology. It is pointed out that its topological structure is characterized by the zero-mode and the winding number. A new type of commutation relations is proposed to quantize the model respecting the topological nature. Hilbert spaces are constructed to be representation spaces of quantum operators. It is shown that there are an infinite number of inequivalent representations as a consequence of the nontrivial topology. The algebra generated by quantum operators is deformed by the central extension. When the central extension is introduced, it is shown that the zero-mode variables and the winding variables obey a new commutation relation, which we call twist relation. In addition, it is shown that the central extension makes momenta operators obey anomalous commutators. We demonstrate that topology enriches the structure of quantum field theories.