Boundary conformal field theory
Encyclopedia
In theoretical physics
, boundary conformal field theory (BCFT) is a conformal field theory
defined on a spacetime
with a boundary (or boundaries). Different kinds of boundary conditions for the fields may be imposed on the fundamental fields; for example, Neumann boundary condition
or Dirichlet boundary condition
is acceptable for free boson
ic fields. BCFT was developed by John Cardy.
In the context of string theory
, physicists are often interested in two-dimensional BCFTs. The specific types of boundary conditions in a specific CFT describe different kinds of D-branes.
BCFT is also used in condensed matter physics - it can be used to solve quantum impurity models.
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
, boundary conformal field theory (BCFT) is a conformal field theory
Conformal field theory
A conformal field theory is a quantum field theory that is invariant under conformal transformations...
defined on a spacetime
Spacetime
In physics, spacetime is any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single continuum. Spacetime is usually interpreted with space as being three-dimensional and time playing the role of a fourth dimension that is of a different sort from the spatial dimensions...
with a boundary (or boundaries). Different kinds of boundary conditions for the fields may be imposed on the fundamental fields; for example, Neumann boundary condition
Neumann boundary condition
In mathematics, the Neumann boundary condition is a type of boundary condition, named after Carl Neumann.When imposed on an ordinary or a partial differential equation, it specifies the values that the derivative of a solution is to take on the boundary of the domain.* For an ordinary...
or Dirichlet boundary condition
Dirichlet boundary condition
In mathematics, the Dirichlet boundary condition is a type of boundary condition, named after Johann Peter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet who studied under Cauchy and succeeded Gauss at University of Göttingen. When imposed on an ordinary or a partial differential equation, it specifies the values a...
is acceptable for free boson
Boson
In particle physics, bosons are subatomic particles that obey Bose–Einstein statistics. Several bosons can occupy the same quantum state. The word boson derives from the name of Satyendra Nath Bose....
ic fields. BCFT was developed by John Cardy.
In the context of string theory
String theory
String theory is an active research framework in particle physics that attempts to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity. It is a contender for a theory of everything , a manner of describing the known fundamental forces and matter in a mathematically complete system...
, physicists are often interested in two-dimensional BCFTs. The specific types of boundary conditions in a specific CFT describe different kinds of D-branes.
BCFT is also used in condensed matter physics - it can be used to solve quantum impurity models.