Max Downing
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The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Previous Organizations / Institutes
The organizations / institutes from the scholar's other articles in the past ten years
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Max Downing has a total of 7 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Gerard M. T. Watts
Department of Mathematics King's College London Strand WC2R 2LS London United Kingdom
5 shared publications - Faisal Karimi
Department of Mathematics King's College London Strand WC2R 2LS London United Kingdom
3 shared publications - Adarsh Sudhakar
The Institute of Mathematical Sciences
2 shared publications - Tanmoy Sengupta
Chennai Mathematical Institute, H1, SIPCOT IT Park
2 shared publications - Hubert Saleur
Institut de Physique Théorique
1 shared publication - Jesper Lykke Jacobsen
Laboratoire de Physique de l'École Normale Supérieure ENS Université PSL CNRS Sorbonne Université Université Paris Cité F-75005 Paris France
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 10 June 2026
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2026 (6)
Modular properties of $ {\mathcal{W}}_3 $ generalised Gibbs ensemblesA bstract: In this paper we make a proposal for the solution to a long-standing problem — the asymptotic expansions of the modular S -transform of a generalised Gibbs ensemble (GGE) in a theory with $$ {\mathcal{W}}_3 $$ symmetry where the GGE includes the first non-trivial charge. Equivalently, we give a proposal for the modular S -transform of traces of arbitrary powers of the zero mode W 0 . We provide evidence in the form of exact results using Zhu’s recursion, results obtained using conjectured results for Verma modules, and exact results for the particular value c = –2. We expect these have generalisations to other symmetry algebras/hierarchies such as the Virasoro algebra/KdV charges, and to GGEs with arbitrary finite sets of charges.- 10 June 2026
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2026 (6)
Open AccessModular properties of $ {\mathcal{W}}_3 $ generalised Gibbs ensemblesA bstract: In this paper we make a proposal for the solution to a long-standing problem — the asymptotic expansions of the modular S -transform of a generalised Gibbs ensemble (GGE) in a theory with $$ {\mathcal{W}}_3 $$ symmetry where the GGE includes the first non-trivial charge. Equivalently, we give a proposal for the modular S -transform of traces of arbitrary powers of the zero mode W 0 . We provide evidence in the form of exact results using Zhu’s recursion, results obtained using conjectured results for Verma modules, and exact results for the particular value c = –2. We expect these have generalisations to other symmetry algebras/hierarchies such as the Virasoro algebra/KdV charges, and to GGEs with arbitrary finite sets of charges. - Open Access
Two-point functions in boundary loop models
Using techniques of conformal bootstrap, we propose analytical expressions for a large class of two-point functions of bulk fields in critical loop models defined on the upper-half plane. Our results include the two-point connectivities in the Fortuin--Kasteleyn random cluster model with both free and wired boundary conditions. We link the continuum expressions to lattice quantities by computing universal ratios of amplitudes for the two-point connectivities, and find excellent agreement with transfer-matrix numerics.
Open AccessTwo-point functions in boundary loop models
Using techniques of conformal bootstrap, we propose analytical expressions for a large class of two-point functions of bulk fields in critical loop models defined on the upper-half plane. Our results include the two-point connectivities in the Fortuin--Kasteleyn random cluster model with both free and wired boundary conditions. We link the continuum expressions to lattice quantities by computing universal ratios of amplitudes for the two-point connectivities, and find excellent agreement with transfer-matrix numerics.
- Open AccessModular Properties of $\mathcal{W}_3$ Generalised Gibbs EnsemblesIn this paper we make a proposal for the solution to a long-standing problem - the asymptotic expansions of the modular $S$-transform of a generalised Gibbs ensemble (GGE) in a theory with $\mathcal{W}_3$ symmetry where the GGE includes the first non-trivial charge. Equivalently, we give a proposal for the modular $S$-transform of traces of arbitrary powers of the zero mode $W_0$. We provide evidence in the form of exact results using Zhu's recursion, results obtained using conjectured results for Verma modules, and exact results for the particular value $c=-2$. We expect these have generalisations to other symmetry algebras/hierarchies such as the Virasoro algebra/KdV charges, and to GGEs with arbitrary finite sets of charges.Open AccessModular Properties of $\mathcal{W}_3$ Generalised Gibbs EnsemblesIn this paper we make a proposal for the solution to a long-standing problem - the asymptotic expansions of the modular $S$-transform of a generalised Gibbs ensemble (GGE) in a theory with $\mathcal{W}_3$ symmetry where the GGE includes the first non-trivial charge. Equivalently, we give a proposal for the modular $S$-transform of traces of arbitrary powers of the zero mode $W_0$. We provide evidence in the form of exact results using Zhu's recursion, results obtained using conjectured results for Verma modules, and exact results for the particular value $c=-2$. We expect these have generalisations to other symmetry algebras/hierarchies such as the Virasoro algebra/KdV charges, and to GGEs with arbitrary finite sets of charges.
- Open Access
- 7 March 2025
- Published by Stichting SciPost in SciPost Physics
- Vol. 18 (3) , 085
Modular properties of generalised Gibbs ensembles
We investigate the modular properties of Generalised Gibbs Ensembles (GGEs) in two dimensional conformal field theories. These are obtained by inserting higher spin charges in the expressions for the partition function of the theory. We investigate the particular case where KdV charges are inserted in the GGE. We first determine an asymptotic expression for the transformed GGE. This expression is an expansion in terms of the zero modes of all the quasi-primary fields in the theory, not just the KdV charges. While these charges are non-commuting they can be re-exponentiated to give an asymptotic expression for the transformed GGE in terms of another GGE. As an explicit example we focus on the Lee-Yang model. We use the Thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz in the Lee-Yang model to first replicate the asymptotic results, and then find additional energies that need to be included in the transformed GGE in order to find the exact modular transformation.
- 7 March 2025
- Published by Stichting SciPost in SciPost Physics
- Vol. 18 (3) , 085
Open AccessModular properties of generalised Gibbs ensembles
We investigate the modular properties of Generalised Gibbs Ensembles (GGEs) in two dimensional conformal field theories. These are obtained by inserting higher spin charges in the expressions for the partition function of the theory. We investigate the particular case where KdV charges are inserted in the GGE. We first determine an asymptotic expression for the transformed GGE. This expression is an expansion in terms of the zero modes of all the quasi-primary fields in the theory, not just the KdV charges. While these charges are non-commuting they can be re-exponentiated to give an asymptotic expression for the transformed GGE in terms of another GGE. As an explicit example we focus on the Lee-Yang model. We use the Thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz in the Lee-Yang model to first replicate the asymptotic results, and then find additional energies that need to be included in the transformed GGE in order to find the exact modular transformation.
- Open Access
Modular transform of free fermion generalised Gibbs ensembles and generalised power partitions
In [1] a conjecture for the modular transformation of the free fermion generalised Gibbs ensemble (GGE) was given where only the KdV charge associated to the weight four quasi primary field was inserted. In this paper we first generalise this conjecture to the case with an arbitrary, finite collection of KdV charges in the GGE. These GGEs are generalisations of the generating function of power partitions. We prove the conjectured transformation for the case with a finite number of charges inserted and discuss the case with an infinite number of charges.
Open AccessModular transform of free fermion generalised Gibbs ensembles and generalised power partitions
In [1] a conjecture for the modular transformation of the free fermion generalised Gibbs ensemble (GGE) was given where only the KdV charge associated to the weight four quasi primary field was inserted. In this paper we first generalise this conjecture to the case with an arbitrary, finite collection of KdV charges in the GGE. These GGEs are generalisations of the generating function of power partitions. We prove the conjectured transformation for the case with a finite number of charges inserted and discuss the case with an infinite number of charges.
- Open Access
- 9 January 2024
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2024 (1) , 1-26
Free fermions, KdV charges, generalised Gibbs ensembles, modular transforms and line defects
In this paper we return to the question of the modular properties of a generalised Gibbs ensemble of a single free fermion. We extend our previous proposals to a GGE containing an arbitrary number of conserved charges and provide a physical interpretation of the result in terms of a line defect. The defect description perfectly explains the product formula for the modular transformation we found previously. We also give a proposal for a Hamiltonian approach to the line defect.
- 9 January 2024
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2024 (1) , 1-26
Open AccessFree fermions, KdV charges, generalised Gibbs ensembles, modular transforms and line defects
In this paper we return to the question of the modular properties of a generalised Gibbs ensemble of a single free fermion. We extend our previous proposals to a GGE containing an arbitrary number of conserved charges and provide a physical interpretation of the result in terms of a line defect. The defect description perfectly explains the product formula for the modular transformation we found previously. We also give a proposal for a Hamiltonian approach to the line defect.
- Open Access
Free fermions, KdV charges, generalised Gibbs ensembles, modular transforms and line defects
In this paper we return to the question of the modular properties of a generalised Gibbs ensemble of a single free fermion. We extend our previous proposals to a GGE containing an arbitrary number of conserved charges and provide a physical interpretation of the result in terms of a line defect. The defect description perfectly explains the product formula for the modular transformation we found previously. We also give a proposal for a Hamiltonian approach to the line defect.
Open AccessFree fermions, KdV charges, generalised Gibbs ensembles, modular transforms and line defects
In this paper we return to the question of the modular properties of a generalised Gibbs ensemble of a single free fermion. We extend our previous proposals to a GGE containing an arbitrary number of conserved charges and provide a physical interpretation of the result in terms of a line defect. The defect description perfectly explains the product formula for the modular transformation we found previously. We also give a proposal for a Hamiltonian approach to the line defect.
- Open Access
- 7 June 2022
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2022 (6) , 1-41
Free fermions, KdV charges, generalised Gibbs ensembles and modular transforms
In this paper we consider the modular properties of generalised Gibbs ensembles in the Ising model, realised as a theory of one free massless fermion. The Gibbs ensembles are given by adding chemical potentials to chiral charges corresponding to the KdV conserved quantities. (They can also be thought of as simple models for extended characters for the W-algebras). The eigenvalues and Gibbs ensembles for the charges can be easily calculated exactly using their expression as bilinears in the fermion fields. We re-derive the constant term in the charges, previously found by zeta-function regularisation, from modular properties. We expand the Gibbs ensembles as a power series in the chemical potentials and find the modular properties of the corresponding expectation values of polynomials of KdV charges. This leads us to an asymptotic expansion of the Gibbs ensemble calculated in the opposite channel. We obtain the same asymptotic expansion using Dijkgraaf’s results for chiral partition functions. By considering the corresponding TBA calculation, we are led to a conjecture for the exact closed-form expression of the GGE in the opposite channel. This has the form of a trace over multiple copies of the fermion Fock space. We give analytic and numerical evidence supporting our conjecture.
- 7 June 2022
- Published by Springer Nature in Journal of High Energy Physics
- Vol. 2022 (6) , 1-41
Open AccessFree fermions, KdV charges, generalised Gibbs ensembles and modular transforms
In this paper we consider the modular properties of generalised Gibbs ensembles in the Ising model, realised as a theory of one free massless fermion. The Gibbs ensembles are given by adding chemical potentials to chiral charges corresponding to the KdV conserved quantities. (They can also be thought of as simple models for extended characters for the W-algebras). The eigenvalues and Gibbs ensembles for the charges can be easily calculated exactly using their expression as bilinears in the fermion fields. We re-derive the constant term in the charges, previously found by zeta-function regularisation, from modular properties. We expand the Gibbs ensembles as a power series in the chemical potentials and find the modular properties of the corresponding expectation values of polynomials of KdV charges. This leads us to an asymptotic expansion of the Gibbs ensemble calculated in the opposite channel. We obtain the same asymptotic expansion using Dijkgraaf’s results for chiral partition functions. By considering the corresponding TBA calculation, we are led to a conjecture for the exact closed-form expression of the GGE in the opposite channel. This has the form of a trace over multiple copies of the fermion Fock space. We give analytic and numerical evidence supporting our conjecture.