Thermodynamics of the complex su(3) Toda theory

We present the first computation of the thermodynamic properties of the complex su(3) Toda theory. This is possible thanks to a new string hypothesis, which involves bound states that are non-self-conjugate solutions of the Bethe equations. Our method provides equivalently the solution of the su(3) generalization of the XXZ chain. In the repulsive regime, we confirm that the scattering theory proposed over the past few years – made only of solitons with non-diagonal S matrices – is complete. But we show that unitarity does not follow, contrary to early claims, eigenvalues of the monodromy matrix not being pure phases. In the attractive regime, we find that the proposed minimal solution of the bootstrap equations is actually far from being complete. We discuss some simple values of the couplings, where, instead of the few conjectured breathers, a very complex structure (involving E6, or two E8) of bound states is necessary to close the bootstrap.