Thirring model

Definition

The Thirring model is given by the Lagrangian density

: \mathcal{L}= \overline{\psi}(i\partial!!!/-m)\psi -\frac{g}{2}\left(\overline{\psi}\gamma^\mu\psi\right) \left(\overline{\psi}\gamma_\mu \psi\right)\

where \psi=(\psi_+,\psi_-) is the field, g is the coupling constant, m is the mass, and \gamma^\mu, for \mu = 0,1, are the two-dimensional gamma matrices.

This is the unique model of (1+1)-dimensional, Dirac fermions with a local (self-)interaction. Indeed, since there are only 4 independent fields, because of the Pauli principle, all the quartic, local interactions are equivalent; and all higher power, local interactions vanish. (Interactions containing derivatives, such as (\bar \psi\partial!!!/\psi)^2, are not considered because they are non-renormalizable.)

The correlation functions of the Thirring model (massive or massless) verify the Osterwalder–Schrader axioms, and hence the theory makes sense as a quantum field theory.

Massless case

The massless Thirring model is exactly solvable in the sense that a formula for the n-points field correlation is known.

Exact solution

After it was introduced by Walter Thirring,

Massive Thirring model, or MTM

The mass spectrum of the model and the scattering matrix was explicitly evaluated by Bethe ansatz. An explicit formula for the correlations is not known. J. I. Cirac, P. Maraner and J. K. Pachos applied the massive Thirring model to the description of optical lattices.

Exact solution

In one space dimension and one time dimension the model can be solved by the Bethe ansatz. This helps one calculate exactly the mass spectrum and scattering matrix. Calculation of the scattering matrix reproduces the results published earlier by Alexander Zamolodchikov. The paper with the exact solution of Massive Thirring model by Bethe ansatz was first published in Russian.

Multi-particle production cancels on mass shell.

The exact solution shows once again the equivalence of the Thirring model and the quantum sine-Gordon model. The Thirring model is S-dual to the sine-Gordon model. The fundamental fermions of the Thirring model correspond to the solitons of the sine-Gordon model.

Bosonization

S. Coleman

References