Conformal four point functions and the operator product expansion

Various aspects of the four point function for scalar fields in conformally invariant theories are analysed. This depends on an arbitrary function of two conformal invariants u. v. A recurrence relation for the function corresponding to the contribution of an arbitrary spin field in the operator product expansion to the four point function is derived. This is solved explicitly in two and four dimensions in terms of ordinary hypergeometric functions of variables z, x which are simply related to u, v. The operator product expansion analysis is applied to the explicit expressions for the four point function found for free scalar, fermion and vector held theories in four dimensions. The results for four point functions obtained by using the AdS/CFT correspondence are also analysed in terms of functions related to those appearing in the operator product discussion. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. FLU rights reserved.