Quantum Group Symmetry Research Articles

Tridiagonal Symmetries of Models of Nonequilibrium Physics

We study the boundary symmetries of models of nonequilibrium physics where the steady state behaviour strongly depends on the boundary rates. Within the matrix product state approach to many-body systems the physics is described in terms of matrices defining a noncommutative space with a quantum group symmetry. Boundary processes lead to a reduction of the bulk symmetry. We argue that the boundary operators of an interacting system with simple exclusion generate a tridiagonal algebra whose irreducible representations are expressed in terms of the Askey-Wilson polynomials. We show that the boundary algebras of the symmetric and the totally asymmetric processes are the proper limits of the partially asymmetric ones. In all three type of processes the tridiagonal algebra arises as a symmetry of the boundary problem and allows for the exact solvability of the model.

Quantum fields, nonlocality and quantum group symmetries

We study the action of space-time symmetries on quantum fields in the presence of small departures from locality determined by dynamical gravity. It is shown that, under such relaxation of locality the symmetries of the theory cannot be described within the usual framework of Lie algebras but rather in terms of noncocommutative Hopf algebras or 'quantum groups'. Similar 'quantizations' of space-time symmetries are expected to emerge in the low-energy limit of certain quantum gravity models and have been used to describe the symmetries of various noncommutative space-times. Our result provides an intuitive characterization of the mechanism that could lead to the emergence of deformed coproducts in models of quantum relativistic symmetries.

An Operator-theoretic Approach to Invariant Integrals on Quantum Homogeneous $\mathrm{SU}_{n,1}$-spaces

An operator-theoretic approach to invariant integrals on non-compact quantum spaces is introduced on the examples of quantum ball algebras. In order to describe an invariant integral, operator algebras are associated to the quantum space which allow an interpretation as “rapidly decreasing” functions and as functions with compact support. If an operator representation of a first order differential calculus over the quantum space is known, then it can be extended to the operator algebras of integrable functions. The important feature of the approach is that these operator algebras are topological spaces in a natural way. For suitable representations and with respect to the bounded and weak operator topologies, it is shown that the algebra of functions with compact support is dense in the algebra of closeable operators used to define these algebras of functions and that the infinitesimal action of the quantum symmetry group is continuous.

Quantization of models with non-compact quantum group symmetry: modular XXZ magnet and lattice sinh-Gordon model

We define and study certain integrable lattice models with non-compact quantum group symmetry (the modular double of U_q(sl_2)) including an integrable lattice regularization of the sinh-Gordon model and a non-compact version of the XXZ model. Their fundamental R-matrices are constructed in terms of the non-compact quantum dilogarithm. Our choice of the quantum group representations naturally ensures self-adjointness of the Hamiltonian and the higher integrals of motion. These models are studied with the help of the separation of variables method. We show that the spectral problem for the integrals of motion can be reformulated as the problem to determine a subset among the solutions to certain finite difference equations (Baxter equation and quantum Wronskian equation) which is characterized by suitable analytic and asymptotic properties. A key technical tool is the so-called Q-operator, for which we give an explicit construction. Our results allow us to establish some connections to related results and conjectures on the sinh-Gordon theory in continuous space-time. Our approach also sheds some light on the relations between massive and massless models (in particular, the sinh-Gordon and Liouville theories) from the point of view of their integrable structures.

The Bethe ansatz in a periodic box–ball system and the ultradiscrete Riemann thetafunction

Vertex models with quantum group symmetry give rise to integrable cellular automata atq = 0. We study a prototype example known as the periodic box–ball system. Theinitial value problem is solved in terms of an ultradiscrete analogue of theRiemann theta function whose period matrix originates in the Bethe ansatz atq = 0.

The O(n) Model on the Annulus

We use Coulomb gas methods to derive an explicit form for the scaling limit of the partition function of the critical O(n) model on an annulus, with free boundary conditions, as a function of its modulus. This correctly takes into account the magnetic charge asymmetry and the decoupling of the null states. It agrees with an earlier conjecture based on Bethe ansatz and quantum group symmetry, and with all known results for special values of n. It gives new formulae for percolation (the probability that a cluster connects the two opposite boundaries) and for self-avoiding loops (the partition function for a single loop wrapping non-trivially around the annulus.) The limit n→0 also gives explicit examples of partition functions in logarithmic conformal field theory.

On quantum group symmetry and Bethe ansatz for the asymmetric twin spin chain withintegrable boundary

Motivated by a study of the crossing symmetry of the asymmetric twin or ‘gemini’representation of the affine Hecke algebra we give a construction for crossing tensor spacerepresentations of ordinary Hecke algebras. These representations build solutions to theYang–Baxter equation satisfying the crossing condition (that is, integrable quantum spinchains). We show that every crossing representation of the Temperley–Lieb algebra appearsin this construction, and in particular that this construction builds new representations. Weextend these to new representations of the blob algebra, which build new solutions to theboundary Yang–Baxter equation (i.e. open spin chains with integrable boundaryconditions).We prove that the open spin chain Hamiltonian derived from Sklyanin’s commutingtransfer matrix using such a solution can always be expressed as the representation of anelement of the blob algebra, and determine this element. We determine the representationtheory (irreducible content) of the new representations and hence show that all suchHamiltonians have the same spectrum up to multiplicity, for any given value of thealgebraic boundary parameter. (A corollary is that our models have the samespectrum as the open XXZ chain with nondiagonal boundary—despite differingfrom this model in having reference states.) Using these multiplicity data, andother ideas, we investigate the underlying quantum group symmetry of the newHamiltonians. We derive the form of the spectrum and the Bethe ansatz equations.

Spin-Hall Effect with Quantum Group Symmetries

We construct a model of spin-Hall effect on a noncommutative 4 sphere with isospin degrees of freedom (coming from a noncommutative instanton) and invariance under a quantum orthogonal group. The corresponding representation theory allows to explicitly diagonalize the Hamiltonian and construct the ground state; there are both integer and fractional excitations. Similar models exist on higher dimensional noncommutative spheres and noncommutative projective spaces.

Calculation of correlation functions in the Heisenberg spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic model

We derive the exact expression of the four-spinon contribution S 4 to the dynamical correlation function S of the spin 1/2 isotropic (XXX) He isenberg model in the antiferromagnetic regime using the quantum group symmetry of the model. We first give the exact expression for the n-spinon contribution in the form of contour integrals and display known results regarding the two-spinon contribution S 2. Then we specialize the n-spinon formula to the case n = 4 and compute three sum rules for S 4 that the total S is known to satisfy exactly. These are: the total integrated intensity, the first frequency moment and the nearest-neighbor correlation function. We find that S 4 corrects only by a small amount the contribution from S 2.

Revisiting the quantum group symmetry of diatomic molecules

We propose a q-deformed model of the anharmonic vibrations in diatomic molecules. We analyse the applicability of the model to the phenomenological Dunham's expansion by comparing with experimental data. Our methodology involves a global consistency analysis of the parameters that determine the q-deformed system, when compared with fitted vibrational parameters to 161 electronic states in diatomic molecules. We show how to include both the positive and the negative anharmonicities in a simple and systematic fashion.

Deformations of [formula omitted] SYM and integrable spin chain models

Beginning with the planar limit of N = 4 SYM theory, we study planar diagrams for field theory deformations of N = 4 which are marginal at the free field theory level. We show that the requirement of integrability of the full one-loop dilatation operator in the scalar sector, places very strong constraints on the field theory, so that the only soluble models correspond essentially to orbifolds of N = 4 SYM. For these, the associated spin chain model gets twisted boundary conditions that depend on the length of the chain, but which are still integrable. We also show that theories with integrable subsectors appear quite generically, and it is possible to engineer integrable subsectors to have some specific symmetry, however these do not generally lead to full integrability. We also try to construct a theory whose spin chain has quantum group symmetry SO q ( 6 ) as a deformation of the SO ( 6 ) R-symmetry structure of N = 4 SYM. We show that it is not possible to obtain a spin chain with that symmetry from deformations of the scalar potential of N = 4 SYM. We also show that the natural context for these questions can be better phrased in terms of multi-matrix quantum mechanics rather than in four-dimensional field theories.

INTEGRABLE N-LEG LADDER MODELS

We construct integrable spin chains with the inhomogeneous periodic disposition of the anisotropy parameter. The periodicity holds for both auxiliary (space) and quantum (time) directions. The integrability of the model is based on a set of coupled Yang–Baxter equations. This construction yields the P-leg integrable ladder Hamiltonians. We analyse the corresponding quantum group symmetry.

Multi-leg integrable ladder models

We construct integrable spin chains with inhomogeneous periodic disposition of the anisotropy parameter. The periodicity holds for both auxiliary (space) and quantum (time) directions. The integrability of the model is based on a set of coupled Yang–Baxter equations. This construction yields P-leg integrable ladder Hamiltonians. We analyse the corresponding quantum group symmetry and present algebraic Bethe ansatz (ABA) solution.

Strings on plane waves, super-Yang–Mills in four dimensions, quantum groups at roots of one

We show that the BMN operators in D=4, N=4 super-Yang–Mills theory proposed as duals of stringy oscillators in a plane wave background have a natural quantum group construction in terms of the quantum deformation of the SO(6) R-symmetry. We describe in detail how a q-deformed U(2) subalgebra generates BMN operators, with q∼ e 2 iπ/ J . The standard quantum coproduct as well as generalized traces which use q-cyclic operators acting on tensor products of Higgs fields are the ingredients in this construction. They generate the oscillators with the correct (undeformed) permutation symmetries of Fock space oscillators. The quantum group can be viewed as a spectrum generating algebra, and suggests that correlators of BMN operators should have a geometrical meaning in terms of spaces with quantum group symmetry.

Quantum group based theory for antiferromagnetism and superconductivity: proof and further evidence

Previously one of us presented a conjecture [APF-4 Proceedings] to model antiferromagnetism and high temperature superconductivity and their 'unification' by quantum group symmetry rather than the corresponding classical symmetry in view of the critique by Baskaran and Anderson of Zhang's classical SO(5) model. This conjecture was further sharpened, experimental evidence and the important role of 1-d systems [stripes] was emphasized and moreover the relationship between quantum groups and strings via WZWN models were given in [Phys. Lett A272, (2000)]. In this brief note we give and discuss mathematical proof of this conjecture, which completes an important part of this idea, since previously an explicit simple mathematical proof was lacking. Moreover an independent calculation [IC/99/2] which constructs the generators forming SO(5) algebra not only supports our previous conjecture but provides a check on our calculations. It is important to note that in terms of physics that the arbitariness [freedom] of the d-wave factor g$^{2}$(k) is tied to quantum group symmetry whereas in order to recover classical SO(5) one must set it to unity in an adhoc manner. We intuitively expect that this freedom may be related to psuedogap behaviour in cuprates.

Hopf symmetry breaking and confinement in (2+1)-dimensional gauge theory

Gauge theories in 2+1 dimensions whose gauge symmetry is spontaneously broken to a finite group enjoy a quantum group symmetry which includes the residual gauge symmetry. This symmetry provides a framework in which fundamental excitations (electric charges) and topological excitations (magnetic fluxes) can be treated on equal footing. In order to study symmetry breaking by both electric and magnetic condensates we develop a theory of symmetry breaking which is applicable to models whose symmetry is described by a quantum group (quasitriangular Hopf algebra). Using this general framework we investigate the symmetry breaking and confinement phenomena which occur in (2+1)-dimensional gauge theories. Confinement of particles is linked to the formation of string-like defects. Symmetry breaking by an electric condensate leads to magnetic confinement and vice-versa. We illustrate the general formalism with examples where the symmetry is broken by electric, magnetic and dyonic condensates.

Quantum Group Symmetry in sine-Gordon and Affine Toda Field Theories on the Half-Line

We consider the sine-Gordon and affine Toda field theories on the half-line with classically integrable boundary conditions, and show that in the quantum theory a remnant survives of the bulk quantized affine algebra symmetry generated by non-local charges. The paper also develops a general framework for obtaining solutions of the reflection equation by solving an intertwining property for representations of certain coideal subalgebras of Uq(ĝ).

Multi-parameter deformed fermionic oscillators

In this paper, we study a quantum group covariant deformed fermion algebra. This system can be formulated in n dimensions and posesses two deformation parameters. The undeformed fermion algebra is obtained when both deformation parameters are unity. When both parameters are zero the deformed fermionic oscillator algebra reduces to the orthofermion algebra. If the quantum group symmetry is not preserved, then the number of parameters in n dimensions can be increased to 2n-2.

Quantum group symmetry and particle scattering in (2+1)-dimensional quantum gravity

Starting with the Chern–Simons formulation of (2+1)-dimensional gravity we show that the gravitational interactions deform the Poincaré symmetry of flat spacetime to a quantum group symmetry. The relevant quantum group is the quantum double of the universal cover of the (2+1)-dimensional Lorentz group, or Lorentz double for short. We construct the Hilbert space of two gravitating particles and use the universal R-matrix of the Lorentz double to derive a general expression for the scattering cross section of gravitating particles with spin. In appropriate limits our formula reproduces the semi-classical scattering formulae found by 't Hooft, Deser, Jackiw and de Sousa Gerbert.

Solutions of the boundary Yang Baxter equation for arbitrary spin

We use boundary quantum group symmetry to obtain recursion formulas which determine nondiagonal solutions of the boundary Yang-Baxter equation (reflection equation) of the XXZ type for any spin j.