Minimal lectures on two-dimensional conformal field theory

Abstract

We provide a brief but self-contained review of two-dimensional conformal field theory, from the basic principles to some of the simplest models. From the representations of the Virasoro algebra on the one hand, and the state-field correspondence on the other hand, we deduce Ward identities and Belavin--Polyakov--Zamolodchikov equations for correlation functions. We then explain the principles of the conformal bootstrap method, and introduce conformal blocks. This allows us to define and solve minimal models and Liouville theory. In particular, we study their three- and four-point functions, and discuss their existence and uniqueness. In appendices, we introduce the free boson theory (with an arbitrary central charge), and the modular bootstrap in minimal models.