Math Physics Seminar

Speaker: 
Alfred Sharpere, University of Kentucky, Physics.
Topic: 
Quantum Error-Correcting Codes and Conformal Field Theories (continuation)

Abstract:
There is a rich web of connections between classical error-correcting codes, Euclidean lattices, and chiral conformal field theories.  I will explain an analogous relationship between quantum error-correcting codes, Lorentzian lattices, and nonchiral CFTs arising from toroidal compactifications of strings.  Specifically, I will show how quantum stabilizer codes are embedded in the operator algebras of associated Narain CFTs.  With respect to code CFTs, the constraints of modular invariance reduce to simple algebraic equations.  Solving these equations provides many examples of physically distinct CFTs with the same spectrum; we also find many solutions that do not correspond to any code CFT, and likely do not correspond to any CFT at all.  This highlights a crucial limitation of the conformal bootstrap program   that in general, a solution of the bootstrap equations implies neither the existence nor the uniqueness of a corresponding CFT.

Event Date: 
February 9, 2021 - 2:30pm to 3:20pm
Location: 
Online
Calendar Category: 
Seminar
Seminar Category: 
Mathematical Physics