The operator algebra of orbifold models (Q1121499)

The authors analyze the chiral properties of (orbifold) conformal field theories which are obtained from a given conformal field theory by modding out by a finite symmetry group. The paper starts with a brief review of rational conformal field theory. Then the operator content and the possible form of interactions in orbifold theories are derived, using general arguments. The discussion is maily confined to orbifolds of holomorphic conformal field theories. For a class of orbifolds, authors derive the fusion rules by studying the modular transformation properties of the one loop characters. The results are illustrated with explicit calculations of torodial and \(c=1\) models. The paper is supplemented with a collection of some useful identities obtained in the theory of finite groups.