CFT stands for Conformal Field Theory. It is a branch of theoretical physics that studies the behavior of quantum field theories under conformal transformations, which are transformations that preserve angles but not necessarily distances.
Having good CFT references is important because it allows researchers and scientists to have access to accurate and reliable information about the theory. This can help in understanding and further developing the theory, as well as in applying it to different fields such as condensed matter physics and string theory.
Some highly recommended CFT references include "Conformal Field Theory" by Philippe Di Francesco, Pierre Mathieu, and David Senechal, "Conformal Field Theory and Topology" by Edward Witten, and "Introduction to Conformal Field Theory" by Ralph Blumenhagen and Erik Plauschinn.
Yes, there are several online resources available for learning about CFT, such as lecture notes and video lectures from universities, online courses, and research papers available on arXiv.
Prior knowledge of quantum field theory is helpful but not necessary to understand CFT. However, a basic understanding of quantum mechanics and some mathematical concepts, such as complex analysis and group theory, is recommended for a better understanding of the theory.