# nLab partition function

### Context

#### Index theory

index theory, KK-theory

noncommutative stable homotopy theory

partition function

genus, orientation in generalized cohomology

## Definitions

operator K-theory

K-homology

cohomology

# Contents

## Idea

The partition function is a certain assignment that may be extracted from a system in statistical mechanics, or in quantum field theory. If the quantum field theory $Z$ is presented as an FQFT, that is, as a functor on a category of $d$-dimensional cobordisms, then the partition function is the assignment to $d$-dimensional tori $T$ of the values $Z(T)$ assigned to these by the QFT.

By the axioms of functoriality and symmetric monoidalness of a QFT, this means that the partition function is the trace over the value of the QFT in the cylinder obtained by cutting the torus open.

This is where the partition function originally derives its name from: typically for QFTs on Riemannian cobordisms the value of the QFT on a cylinder of length $t$ is a linear operator of the form $\exp(- t H)$ for some operator $H$.

## Origin of the term

When one thinks of the QFT — under Wick rotation — as describing a physical system in statistical mechanics, then the vector space that $H$ acts on is the vector space of all states of the system and $H$ is the operator whose eigenstates are the states of definite energy. The expression

$tr(exp(-t H))$

then is interpreted as

sum over all states $\Psi$ of the system and weigh each one by its energy $E_\Psi$.

This involves, conversely, counting for each fixed energy $E_\Psi$ the number of states of that energy. This will typically be a sum over certain partitions of various particles of an ensemble into various “bins” of partial energies. Therefore the term partition function.

In fact, the common letter $Z$ uses to denote QFTs (or at least TQFTs) also derives from this: in German the partition function is called Zustandssumme — from German Zustand for “state” .

The Mellin transform of the partition function is known in quantum field theory as the Schwinger parameter-formulation which takes the worldline theory to its zeta regulated Feynman propagator.

## Examples

Partition function for the superparticle: K-theory index.

Partition function for the type II superstring: elliptic genus.

Partition function for the heterotic string: Witten genus.

For some discussion of partition functions of 1-dimensional QFTs see (1,1)-dimensional Euclidean field theories and K-theory.

For some discussion of partition functions of 2-dimensional QFTs see (2,1)-dimensional Euclidean field theories and tmf

$d$partition function in $d$-dimensional QFTsuperchargeindex in cohomology theorygenuslogarithmic coefficients of Hirzebruch series
0push-forward in ordinary cohomology: integration of differential formsorientation
1spinning particleDirac operatorKO-theory indexA-hat genusBernoulli numbersAtiyah-Bott-Shapiro orientation $M Spin \to KO$
endpoint of 2d Poisson-Chern-Simons theory stringSpin^c Dirac operator twisted by prequantum line bundlespace of quantum states of boundary phase space/Poisson manifoldTodd genusBernoulli numbersAtiyah-Bott-Shapiro orientation $M Spin^c \to KU$
endpoint of type II superstringSpin^c Dirac operator twisted by Chan-Paton gauge fieldD-brane chargeTodd genusBernoulli numbersAtiyah-Bott-Shapiro orientation $M Spin^c \to KU$
2type II superstringDirac-Ramond operatorsuperstring partition function in NS-R sectorOchanine elliptic genusSO orientation of elliptic cohomology
heterotic superstringDirac-Ramond operatorsuperstring partition functionWitten genusEisenstein seriesstring orientation of tmf
self-dual stringM5-brane charge
3w4-orientation of EO(2)-theory

## References

• Addison Ault, “The partition function: If that’s what it is Why don’t they say so!” (pdf)

Revised on August 29, 2015 07:02:47 by David Corfield (87.115.222.68)