The 4-loop \(\beta\)-function in the 2D non-Abelian Thirring model, and comparison with its conjectured ``exact'' form (Q1566285)

Recently, \textit{B. Gerganov} et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 4753 (2001)] have proposed an ``exact'' (all-orders) \(\beta\)-function for two-dimensional conformal field theories with Kac-Moody current-algebra symmetry at any level \(k\), based on a Lie group \(G\), which are perturbed by a current-current interaction. This theory is also known as the non-Abelian Thirring model. We check this conjecture with an explicit calculation of the \(\beta\)-function to 4-loop order, for the classical groups \(G=SU(N)\), \(SO(N)\) and \(SP(N)\) at level \(k=0\). We find a contribution at 4-loop order, proportional to a higher-order group-theoretical invariant, which is incompatible with the proposed \(\beta\)-function in all possible regularization schemes.