Level-rank duality of WZW models in conformal field theory (Q1189228): Difference between revisions

The decomposition of the conformal blocks under the conformal embedding is considered. In addition to the known mutually commutative embedding of affine Lie algebras \(\widehat {sl}(l)_ r\times \widehat{sl}(r)_ l\subset\widehat{gl}(lr)_ 1\) (Frenkel, 1982), the case of \(\widehat {sl}(l)_ r\times\widehat{sl}(r)_ l\times \hat a\subset gl(lr)_ 1\) where \(\hat a\) is an affine extension of the abelian subalgebra of central elements of \(gl(lr)\), is studied in detail. It is shown that a pairing between the spaces of conformal blocks of \(\widehat{sl}(l)_ r\) and \(\widehat{sl}(r)_ l\) Wess-Zumino-Witten models on the Riemann sphere (Witten, 1984; Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov, 1984) which is induced by the reciprocal decompositions of \(\widehat{gl}(lr)_ 1\)-modules and satisfies the completeness condition, defines the level-rank duality [\textit{S. G. Naculich} and \textit{H. J. Schnitzer}, Phys. Lett. 244, No. 2, 235-240 (1990); Nucl. Phys. B 347, No. 3, 687-742 (1990)]\ between two spaces in conformal field theory under consideration.