Conformal Invariance and Percolation

In this review paper, we first discuss some open problems related to two-dimensional self-avoiding paths and critical percolation. We then review some closely related results (joint work with Greg Lawler and Oded Schramm) on critical exponents for two-dimensional simple random walks, Brownian motions and other conformally invariant random objects.

We review some of the recent progress on the scaling limit of two-dimensional critical percolation; in particular, the convergence of the exploration path to chordal SLE(6) and the "full" scaling limit of cluster interface loops. The results given here on the full scaling limit and its conformal invariance extend those presented previously. For site percolation on the triangular lattice, the results are fully rigorous. We explain some of the main ideas, skipping most technica...

In cluster tomography, we propose measuring the number of clusters $N$ intersected by a line segment of length $\ell$ across a finite sample. As expected, the leading order of $N(\ell)$ scales as $a\ell$, where $a$ depends on microscopic details of the system. However, at criticality, there is often an additional nonlinearity of the form $b\ln(\ell)$, originating from the endpoints of the line segment. By performing large scale Monte Carlo simulations of both 2$d$ and 3$d$ pe...

In a recent article, one of the authors used $c=0$ logarithmic conformal field theory to predict crossing-probability formulas for percolation clusters inside a hexagon with free boundary conditions. In this article, we verify these predictions with high-precision computer simulations. Our simulations generate percolation-cluster perimeters with hull walks on a triangular lattice inside a hexagon. Each sample comprises two hull walks, and the order in which these walks strike...

We study scaling limits and conformal invariance of critical site percolation on triangular lattice. We show that some percolation-related quantities are harmonic conformal invariants, and calculate their values in the scaling limit. As a particular case we obtain conformal invariance of the crossing probabilities and Cardy's formula. Then we prove existence, uniqueness, and conformal invariance of the continuum scaling limit.

We consider the sub-sector of the $c=0$ logarithmic conformal field theory (LCFT) generated by the boundary condition changing (bcc) operator in two dimensional critical percolation. This operator is the zero weight Kac operator $\phi_{1,2}$, identified with the growing hull of the SLE$_6$ process. We identify percolation configurations with the significant operators in the theory. We consider operators from the first four bcc operator fusions: the identity and bcc operator...

The goal of the present paper is to explain, based on properties of the conformal loop ensembles CLE$_\kappa$ (both with simple and non-simple loops, i.e., for the whole range $\kappa \in (8/3, 8)$) how to derive the connection probabilities in conformal rectangles for a conditioned version of CLE$_\kappa$ which can be interpreted as a CLE$_{\kappa}$ with wired/free/wired/free boundary conditions on four boundary arcs (the wired parts being viewed as portions of to-be-complet...

We use SLE(6) paths to construct a process of continuum nonsimple loops in the plane and prove that this process coincides with the full continuum scaling limit of 2D critical site percolation on the triangular lattice -- that is, the scaling limit of the set of all interfaces between different clusters. Some properties of the loop process, including conformal invariance, are also proved. In the main body of the paper these results are proved while assuming, as argued by Schr...

We consider the two dimensional $Q-$ random-cluster Potts model on the torus and at the critical point. We study the probability for two points to be connected by a cluster for general values of $Q\in [1,4]$. Using a Conformal Field Theory (CFT) approach, we provide the leading topological corrections to the plane limit of this probability. These corrections have universal nature and include, as a special case, the universality class of two-dimensional critical percolation. W...

A comprehensive introduction to two-dimensional conformal field theory is given.