JEAN-FRANCOIS FORTIN CERN: We investigate the theoretical implications of scale without conformal invariance in quantum field theory. We argue that RG flows of such theories correspond to recurrent behaviors, i.e. limit cycles or ergodicity, and show how dilation generators do generate dilatations. We discuss the implications for the a-theorem, and use Weyl consistency conditions to show that scale implies conformal invariance. Finally, we clarify the necessary and sufficient conditions for conformality and present new types of conformal field theories the effect of higher-curvature corrections on similar solutions.

DATA: 03-10-2013