A finite temperature generalization of Zamolodchikov's C-theorem

Abstract

We prove a C-theorem within the framework of two dimensional quantum field theories at finite temperature. There exists a function C(g) of coupling constants which is non-increasing along renormalization group trajectories and non-decreasing along temperature trajectory and stationary only at the fixed points. The connection between the C-theorem at zero temperature and the C-theorem at finite temperature is discussed. We also consider the thermodynamical aspects of the C-theorem. If we define the C-function in an arbitrary number of dimensions in anology to the two dimensional case, we can show that its behavior is not universal. The phase transitions destroy the monotonic properties of the C-function. The proof of the C-theorem is also presented within the framework of the Kallen-Lehmann spectral representation at finite temperature.