First Column Boundary Operator Product Expansion Coefficients

Abstract

We calculate boundary operator product expansion coefficients for boundary operators in the first column of the Kac table in conformal field theories. For c=0 we give closed form expressions for all such coefficients. Then we generalize to the augmented minimal models, giving explicit expressions for coefficients valid when ϕ_{1,2} mediates a change from fixed to free boundary conditions. These quantities are determined by computing an arbitrary four-point correlation function of first column operators. Our calculation first determines the appropriate (non-logarithmic) conformal blocks by using standard null-vector methods. The behavior of these blocks under crossing symmetry then provides a general closed form expression for the desired coefficients, as a product of ratios of gamma functions. This calculation was inspired by the need for several of these coefficients in certain correlation function formulas for critical two-dimensional percolation and the augmented q=2 and q=3 state critical Potts models.

9 pages, no figures, v2 minor corrections