Three loop renormalization group for a marginally perturbed SU(2) WZW model

Abstract

Employing a simple calculation method obtained by M.-H. Kato, we calculate the three loop renormalization group in the $su(2)$ coset conformal field theory with a slightly relevant perturbation and the $su(2)$ Wess-Zumino-Witten model with a particular invariant marginal perturbation. Zamolodchikov's $c$-theorem, exact data of the perturbation operator and a known exact form of the operator product coefficient enable us to calculate the beta function, the gamma function and the $c$-function to three loop order. This result gives the logarithmic finite size correction to the ground state energy and the low temperature behavior of the specific heat in the Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain with high accuracy. We describe the consistency with results obtained by several authors on the basis of its exact solvability. We discuss an experiment of the specific heat and the suceptibility recently observed.