One of the important aspects in recent trends in complex analysis has been the increasing degree of cross-fertilization between the latter and mathematical physics with great benefits to both subjects. Contour dynamics in the complex plane turned to be a meeting point for complex analysts, specialists in stochastic processes, and mathematical physicists. This was stimulated, first of all, by recent progress in understanding structures in the classical and stochastic Löwner evolutions, and in the Laplacian growth. The Virasoro algebra provides a basic algebraic object in conformal field theory (CFT) so it was not surprising that it turned to play an important role of a structural skeleton for contour dynamics. The present paper is a survey of recent progress in the study of the CFT viewpoint on contour dynamics, in particular, we show how the Witt and Virasoro algebras are related with the stochastic Löwner and classical Löwner-Kufarev equations.
We prove that a solution to the $ω$-controlled Loewner-Kufarev equation, which was introduced by the first two authors, exists uniquely, is univalent and starlike on the unit disk and can be extended holomorphically across the unit circle.
We introduce the class of controlled Loewner-Kufarev equations and consider aspects of their algebraic nature. We lift the solution of such a controlled equation to the (Sato)-Segal-Wilson Grassmannian, and discuss its relation with the tau-function. We briefly highlight relations of the Grunsky matrix with integrable systems and conformal field theory. Our main result is the explicit formula which expresses the solution of the controlled equation in terms of the signature of the driving function through the action of words in generators of the Witt algebra.
First we introduce the two tau-functions which appeared either as the $τ$-function of the integrable hierarchy governing the Riemann mapping of Jordan curves or in conformal field theory and the universal Grassmannian. Then we discuss various aspects of their interrelation. Subsequently, we establish a novel connection between free probability, growth models and integrable systems, in particular for second order freeness, and summarise it in a dictionary. This extends the previous link between conformal maps and large $N$-matrix integrals to (higher) order free probability. Within this context…
The Loewner equation is known as a one-dimensional reduction of the Benney chain as well as the dispersionless KP hierarchy. We propose a reverse process showing that time splitting in the Loewner or the Loewner-Kufarev equation leads to some known integrable systems.
We consider a homotopic evolution in the space of smooth shapes starting from the unit circle. Based on the Loewner-Kufarev equation we give a Hamiltonian formulation of this evolution and provide conservation laws. The symmetries of the evolution are given by the Virasoro algebra. The `positive' Virasoro generators span the holomorphic part of the complexified vector bundle over the space of conformal embeddings of the unit disk into the complex plane and smooth on the boundary. In the covariant formulation they are conserved along the Hamiltonian flow. The `negative' Virasoro generators can …
We discuss the partition function point of view for chordal Schramm-Loewner evolutions and their relationship with correlation functions in conformal field theory. Both are closely related to crossing probabilities and interfaces in critical models in two-dimensional statistical mechanics. We gather and supplement previous results with different perspectives, point out remaining difficulties, and suggest directions for future studies.
We review the recently developed relation between the traditional algebraic approach to conformal field theories and the more recent probabilistic approach based on stochastic Loewner evolutions. It is based on implementing random conformal maps in conformal field theories.
We describe Stochastic Loewner Evolution on arbitrary Riemann surfaces with boundary using Conformal Field Theory methods. We propose in particular a CFT construction for a probability measure on (clouded) paths, and check it against known restriction properties. The probability measure can be thought of as a section of the determinant bundle over moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces. Loewner evolutions have a natural description in terms of random walk in the moduli space, and the stochastic diffusion equation translates to the Virasoro action of a certain weight-two operator on a uniformised ve…
A family of exponential martingales of a stochastic Laplacian growth problem is proposed. Stochastic Laplacian growth describes a regularized interface dynamics in a two-fluid system, where the viscous fluid is incompressible at a large scale, while compressible at a small scale in the vicinity of the interface. Hence, random fluctuations of pressure near the boundary are inevitable. By using Loewner-Kufarev equation, we study interface dynamics generated by nonlocal random Loewner measure, which produces the patterns with viscous fingers. We use a Schottky double construction to introduce a o…
Simulations of the self-avoiding walk (SAW) are performed in a half-plane and a cut-plane (the complex plane with the positive real axis removed) using the pivot algorithm. We test the conjecture of Lawler, Schramm and Werner that the scaling limit of the two-dimensional SAW is given by Schramm's Stochastic Loewner Evolution (SLE). The agreement is found to be excellent. The simulations also test the conformal invariance of the SAW since conformal invariance would imply that if we map the walks in the cut-plane into the half plane using the conformal map z -> sqrt(z), then the resulting walks …
In this note we consider the ansatz for Multiple Schramm-Loewner Evolutions (SLEs) proposed by Bauer, Bernard and Kytola from a more probabilistic point of view. Here we show their ansatz is a consequence of conformal invariance, reparameterisation invariance and a notion of absolute continuity. In so doing we demonstrate that it is only consistent to grow multiple SLEs if their kappa parameters are related by kappa_i = kappa_j or kappa_i = 16 / kappa_j.
The Stochastic Loewner evolution is a recent tool in the study of two-dimensional critical systems. We extend this approach to the case of critical systems with continuous symmetries, such as SU(2) Wess-Zumino-Witten models, where domain walls carry an additional spin 1/2 degree of freedom. We show that the stochastic evolution results in the Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equation for correlation functions.
The Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE) is a powerful tool to describe fractal interfaces in 2D critical statistical systems. Yet the application of SLE is well established for statistical systems described by quantum field theories satisfying only conformal invariance, the so called minimal conformal field theories (CFTs). We consider interfaces in Z(N) spin models at their self-dual critical point for N=4 and N=5. These lattice models are described in the continuum limit by non-minimal CFTs where the role of a Z_N symmetry, in addition to the conformal one, should be taken into account. We provi…
We review the algebraic and analytic aspects of the conformal field theory (CFT) and its relation to the stochastic Loewner evolution (SLE) in an example of the Ising model. We obtain the scaling limit of the correlation functions of Ising free fermions on an arbitrary simply connected two-dimensional domain $D$. Then, we study the analytic and algebraic aspects of the fermionic CFT on $D$, using the Fock space formalism of fields, and the Clifford vertex operator algebra (VOA). These constructions lead to the conformal field theory of the Fock space fields and the fermionic Fock space of stat…
We suggest how to give a physical interpretation of Stochastic Loewner Evolution traces approaching a marked point in the upper half plane. We show that this may be related to the fusion of boundary with bulk fields in Conformal Field Theory by taking a look at the probability of such an event.
The Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE) can be simulated by dividing the time interval into N subintervals and approximating the random conformal map of the SLE by the composition of N random, but relatively simple, conformal maps. In the usual implementation the time required to compute a single point on the SLE curve is O(N). We give an algorithm for which the time to compute a single point is O(N^p) with p<1. Simulations with kappa=8/3 and kappa=6 both give a value of p of approximately 0.4.
We consider the Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE$_κ$) for $κ\in (4,8)$, which is the regime that the curve is self-intersecting but not space-filling. We let ${\mathcal K}$ be the set of $κ\in (4,8)$ for which the adjacency graph of connected components of the complement of an SLE$_κ$ is a.s. connected, meaning that for every pair of complementary components $U, V$ there exist complementary components $U_1,\ldots,U_n$ with $U_1 = U$, $U_n = V$, and $\partial U_i \cap \partial U_{i+1} \neq \emptyset$ for each $1 \leq i \leq n-1$. We show that the range of an SLE$_κ$ for $κ\in {\mathcal K}$ is a.s…
Stochastic Loewner evolutions (SLE) are random growth processes of sets, called hulls, embedded in the two dimensional upper half plane. We elaborate and develop a relation between SLE evolutions and conformal field theories (CFT) which is based on a group theoretical formulation of SLE processes and on the identification of the proper hull boundary states. This allows us to define an infinite set of SLE zero modes, or martingales, whose existence is a consequence of the existence of a null vector in the appropriate Virasoro modules. This identification leads, for instance, to linear systems f…
Conformally-invariant curves that appear at critical points in two-dimensional statistical mechanics systems, and their fractal geometry have received a lot of attention in recent years. On the one hand, Schramm has invented a new rigorous as well as practical calculational approach to critical curves, based on a beautiful unification of conformal maps and stochastic processes, and by now known as Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE). On the other hand, Duplantier has applied boundary quantum gravity methods to calculate exact multifractal exponents associated with critical curves. In the first par…
Schramm-Loewner evolution appears as the scaling limit of interfaces in lattice models at critical point. Critical behavior of these models can be described by minimal models of conformal field theory. Certain CFT correlation functions are martingales with respect to SLE. We generalize Schramm-Loewner evolution with additional Brownian motion on Lie group $G$ to the case of factor space $G/A$. We then study connection between SLE description of critical behavior with coset models of conformal field theory. In order to be consistent such construction should give minimal models for certain choic…
These lecture notes on 2D growth processes are divided in two parts. The first part is a non-technical introduction to stochastic Loewner evolutions (SLEs). Their relationship with 2D critical interfaces is illustrated using numerical simulations. Schramm's argument mapping conformally invariant interfaces to SLEs is explained. The second part is a more detailed introduction to the mathematically challenging problems of 2D growth processes such as Laplacian growth, diffusion limited aggregation (DLA), etc. Their description in terms of dynamical conformal maps, with discrete or continuous time…
It is known that a backward Schramm--Loewner evolution (SLE) is coupled with a free boundary Gaussian free field (GFF) with boundary perturbation to give conformal welding of quantum surfaces. Motivated by a generalization of conformal welding for quantum surfaces with multiple marked boundary points, we propose a notion of multiple backward SLE. To this aim, we investigate the commutation relation between two backward Loewner chains, and consequently, we find that the driving process of each backward Loewner chain has to have a drift term given by logarithmic derivative of a partition functio…
The equations of Loewner type can be derived in two very different contexts: one of them is complex analysis and the theory of parametric conformal maps and the other one is the theory of integrable systems. In this paper we compare the both approaches. After recalling the derivation of Löwner equations based on complex analysis we review one- and multi-variable reductions of dispersionless integrable hierarhies (dKP, dBKP, dToda, and dDKP). The one-vaiable reductions are described by solutions of different versions of Loewner equation: chordal (rational) for dKP, quadrant for dBKP, radial (tr…
Sorbonne Université（索邦大学）；Université Paris Cité（巴黎西岱大学）；CNRS（法国国家科学研究中心）；INRIA（法国国家数字科学研究所）；Laboratoire Jacques-Louis Lions, LJLL（雅克-路易·利翁斯实验室）；Université Mohamed V - Rabat（穆罕默德五世大学）；University of California, Riverside（加州大学河滨分校）；Université Paul Sabatier（图卢兹第三大学）；Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, CRCA（动物认知研究中心）
A quantum surface (QS) is an equivalence class of pairs $(D,H)$ of simply connected domains $D\subsetneq\mathbb{C}$ and random distributions $H$ on $D$ induced by the conformal equivalence for random metric spaces. This distribution-valued random field is extended to a QS with $N+1$ marked boundary points (MBPs) with $N\in\mathbb{Z}_{\ge 0}$. We propose the conformal welding problem for it in the case of $N\in\mathbb{Z}_{\ge 1}$. If $N=1$, it is reduced to the problem introduced by Sheffield, who solved it by coupling the QS with the Schramm--Loewner evolution (SLE). When $N \ge 3$, there natu…
We provide multiple Schramm-Loewner evolutions (SLEs) to describe the scaling limit of multiple interfaces in critical lattice models possessing Lie algebra symmetries. The critical behavior of the models is described by Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) models. Introducing a multiple Brownian motion on a Lie group as well as that on the real line, we construct the multiple SLE with additional Lie algebra symmetries. The connection between the resultant SLE and the WZW model can be understood via SLE martingales satisfied by the correlation functions in the WZW model. Due to interactions among SLE trac…
A group theoretical formulation of Schramm--Loewner-evolution-type growth processes corresponding to Wess--Zumino--Witten theories is developed that makes it possible to construct stochastic differential equations associated with more general null vectors than the ones considered in the most fundamental example in [Alekseev et al., Lett. Math. Phys. 97, 243-261 (2011)]. Also given are examples of Schramm--Loewner-evolution-type growth processes associated with null vectors of conformal weight $4$ in the basic representations of $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}}_{2}$ and $\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}}_{3}$.
We conformally weld (via "quantum zipping") two boundary arcs of a Liouville quantum gravity random surface to generate a random curve called the Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE). We develop a theory of quantum fractal measures (consistent with the Knizhnik-Polyakov-Zamolochikov relation) and analyze their evolution under welding via SLE martingales. As an application, we construct the natural quantum length and boundary intersection measures on the SLE curve itself.
We find a wide class of Levy-Loewner evolutions for which the value of integral means beta-spectrum $β(q)$ at $q=2$ is the maximal real eigenvalue of a three-diagonal matrix. The second moments of derivatives of corresponding conformal mappings are expressed through solutions of matrix Fuchsian systems with three singular points.
We review some of the results that have been derived in the last years on conformal invariance, scaling limits and properties of some two-dimensional random curves. In particular, we describe the intuitive ideas that lead to the definition of the Schramm-Loewner evolutions SLE, we define these objects, study its various properties, show how to compute (probabilities, critical exponents) using SLE, relate SLE to planar Brownian motions (i.e. the determination of the critical exponents), planar self-avoiding walks, critical percolation, loop-erased random walks and uniform spanning trees.
In this paper, we provide a framework of estimates for describing 2D scaling limits by Schramm's SLE curves. In particular, we show that a weak estimate on the probability of an annulus crossing implies that a random curve arising from a statistical mechanics model will have scaling limits and those will be well-described by Loewner evolutions with random driving forces. Interestingly, our proofs indicate that existence of a nondegenerate observable with a conformally-invariant scaling limit seems sufficient to deduce the required condition. Our paper serves as an important step in establishin…
The concept of Schramm-Loewner evolution provides a unified description of domain boundaries of many lattice spin systems in two dimensions, possibly even including systems with quenched disorder. Here, we study domain walls in the random-field Ising model. Although, in two dimensions, this system does not show an ordering transition to a ferromagnetic state, in the presence of a uniform external field spin domains percolate beyond a critical field strength. Using exact ground state calculations for very large systems, we examine ground state domain walls near this percolation transition findi…
Stochastic Loewner Evolution (SLE_kappa) has been introduced as a description of the continuum limit of cluster boundaries in two-dimensional critical systems. We show that the problem of N radial SLEs in the unit disc is equivalent to Dyson's Brownian motion on the boundary of the disc, with parameter beta=4/kappa. As a result various equilibrium critical models give realisations of circular ensembles with beta different from the classical values of 1,2 and 4 which correspond to symmetry classes of random U(N) matrices. Some of the bulk critical exponents are related to the spectrum of the as…
We show how to relate Schramm-Loewner Evolutions (SLE) to highest-weight representations of infinite dimensional Lie Algebras using the conformal restriction properties studied by Lawler, Schramm and Werner in the paper arXiv:math.PR/0209343. This confirms the prediction from theoretical physics and conformal field theory that two-dimensional critical systems are related to such degenerate representations.
We prove that the geodesics associated with any metric generated from Liouville quantum gravity (LQG) which satisfies certain natural hypotheses are necessarily singular with respect to the law of any type of SLE$_κ$. These hypotheses are satisfied by the LQG metric for $γ=\sqrt{8/3}$ constructed by the first author and Sheffield, and subsequent work by Gwynne and the first author has shown that there is a unique metric which satisfies these hypotheses for each $γ\in (0,2)$. As a consequence of our analysis, we also establish certain regularity properties of LQG geodesics which imply, among ot…
Scharmm-Loewner evolution (SLE) and conformal field theory (CFT) are popular and widely used instruments to study critical behavior of two-dimensional models, but they use different objects. While SLE has natural connection with lattice models and is suitable for strict proofs, it lacks computational and predictive power of conformal field theory. To provide a way for the concurrent use of SLE and CFT we consider CFT correlation functions which are martingales with respect to SLE. We establish connection between parameters of Schramm-Loewner evolution on coset space and algebraic data of coset…
This article is meant to serve as a guide to recent developments in the study of the scaling limit of critical models. These new developments were made possible through the definition of the Stochastic Loewner Evolution (SLE) by Oded Schramm. This article opens with a discussion of Loewner's method, explaining how this method can be used to describe families of random curves. Then we define SLE and discuss some of its properties. We also explain how the connection can be made between SLE and the discrete models whose scaling limits it describes, or is believed to describe. Finally, we have inc…
Irregular SLE(4) martingales and isomonodromic deformations
Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford（牛津大学数学研究所）；Institute of Mathematics, EPFL（洛桑联邦理工学院数学研究所）；Department of Mathematics and Systems Analysis, Aalto University（阿尔托大学数学与系统分析系）；Division of Mathematics, University of Cologne（科隆大学数学系）
We develop a method for evaluating asymptotics of certain contour integrals that appear in Conformal Field Theory under the name of Dotsenko-Fateev integrals and which are natural generalizations of the classical hypergeometric functions. We illustrate the method by establishing a number of estimates that are useful in the context of martingale observables for multiple Schramm-Loewner evolution processes.
We provide a representation for the scaling limit of the d=2 critical Ising magnetization field as a (conformal) random field using SLE (Schramm-Loewner Evolution) clusters and associated renormalized area measures. The renormalized areas are from the scaling limit of the critical FK (Fortuin-Kasteleyn) clusters and the random field is a convergent sum of the area measures with random signs. Extensions to off-critical scaling limits, to d=3 and to Potts models are also considered.
In this paper we give a physical interpretation of the probability of a Stochastic Loewner Evolution (SLE) trace approaching a marked point in the upper half plane, e.g. on another trace. Our approach is based on the concept of fusion of boundary with bulk or other boundary fields in Conformal Field Theory (CFT). In this context we also state a proposal how the results can be extended to situations that happen not sufficiently far away from the boundary.
It is discussed how stochastic evolutions may be linked to logarithmic conformal field theory. This introduces an extension of the stochastic Loewner evolutions. Based on the existence of a logarithmic null vector in an indecomposable highest-weight module of the Virasoro algebra, the representation theory of the logarithmic conformal field theory is related to entities conserved in mean under the stochastic process.
In this note, we show how to relate the Schramm-Loewner Evolution processes (SLE) to highest-weight representations of the Virasoro Algebra. The conformal restriction properties of SLE that have been recently studied in the paper arXiv:math.PR/0209343 by G. Lawler, O. Schramm and the second author play an instrumental role. In this setup, various considerations from conformal field theory can be interpreted and reformulated via SLE. This enables to make a concrete link between the two-dimensional discrete critical systems from statistical physics and conformal field theory.
We consider critical curves -- conformally invariant curves that appear at critical points of two-dimensional statistical mechanical systems. We show how to describe these curves in terms of the Coulomb gas formalism of conformal field theory (CFT). We also provide links between this description and the stochastic (Schramm-) Loewner evolution (SLE). The connection appears in the long-time limit of stochastic evolution of various SLE observables related to CFT primary fields. We show how the multifractal spectrum of harmonic measure and other fractal characteristics of critical curves can be ob…
Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE) is a random process that gives a useful description of fractal curves. After its introduction, many works concerning the connection between SLE and conformal field theory (CFT) have been carried out. In this paper, we develop a new method of coupling SLE with a Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) model for $SU(2)$, an example of CFT, relying on a coset construction of Virasoro minimal models. Generalizations of SLE that correspond to WZW models were proposed by previous works [Bettelheim {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 95}, 251601 (2005)] and [Alekseev {\it et al.}, Le…
SLE(kappa,rho) is a generalisation of Schramm-Loewner evolution which describes planar curves which are statistically self-similar but not conformally invariant in the strict sense. We show that, in the context of boundary conformal field theory, this process arises naturally in models which contain a conserved U(1) current density J, in which case it gives rise to a highest weight state satisfying a deformation of the usual level 2 null state condition. We apply this to a free field theory with piecewise constant Dirichlet boundary conditions, with a discontinuity lambda at the origin, and ar…
This manuscript explores the connections between a class of stochastic processes called "Stochastic Loewner Evolution" (SLE) and conformal field theory (CFT). First some important results are recalled which we utilise in the sequel, in particular the notion of conformal restriction and of the "restrcition martingale", originally introduced in Conformal restriction (G.F. Lawler, et al). Then an explicit construction of a link between SLE and the representation theory of the Virasoro algebra is given. In particular, we interpret the Ward identities in terms of the restriction property and the ce…
We derive the Ward identities of Conformal Field Theory (CFT) within the framework of Schramm-Loewner Evolution (SLE) and some related processes. This result, inspired by the observation that particular events of SLE have the correct physical spin and scaling dimension, and proved through the conformal restriction property, leads to the identification of some probabilities with correlation functions involving the bulk stress-energy tensor. Being based on conformal restriction, the derivation holds for SLE only at the value kappa=8/3, which corresponds to the central charge c=0 and the case whe…
We consider the whole-plane Shramm-Loewner evolution. Using exact solutions of fundamental equations for moments of derivative of conformal mappings we determine its average integral means beta-spectrum.
Multiple Schramm-Loewner Evolutions (SLE) are conformally invariant random processes of several curves, whose construction by growth processes relies on partition functions: Möbius covariant solutions to a system of second order partial differential equations. In this article, we use a quantum group technique to construct a distinguished basis of solutions, which conjecturally correspond to the extremal points of the convex set of probability measures of multiple SLEs.
