Liouville theory and logarithmic solutions to knizhnik-zamolodchikov equation

Abstract

We study a class of solutions to the SL(2, ℝ)k Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equation. First, logarithmic solutions which represent four-point correlation functions describing string scattering processes on three-dimensional anti-de Sitter space are discussed. These solutions satisfy the factorization ansatz and include logarithmic dependence on the SL(2, ℝ)-isospin variables. Different types of logarithmic singularities arising are classified and the interpretation of these is discussed. The logarithms found here fit into the usual pattern of the structure of four-point function of other examples of AdS/CFT correspondence. Composite states arising in the intermediate channels can be identified as the phenomena responsible for the appearance of such singularities in the four-point correlation functions. In addition, logarithmic solutions which are related to nonperturbative (finite k) effects are found. By means of the relation existing between four-point functions in Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten model formulated on SL(2, ℝ) and certain five-point functions in Liouville quantum conformal field theory, we show how the reflection symmetry of Liouville theory induces particular ℤ2 symmetry transformations on the WZNW correlators. This observation allows to find relations between different logarithmic solutions. This Liouville description also provides a natural explanation for the appearance of the logarithmic singularities in terms of the operator product expansion between degenerate and puncture fields. © World Scientific Publishing Company.