A QFT for non-semisimple TQFT

We construct a family of 3d quantum field theories $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ that conjecturally provide a physical realization -- and derived generalization -- of non-semisimple mathematical TQFT's based on the modules for the quantum group $U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_n)$ at an even root of unity $q=\text{ex...

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Main Authors: Creutzig, T, Dimofte, T, Garner, N, Geer, N
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: International Press 2024
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author Creutzig, T
Dimofte, T
Garner, N
Geer, N
author_facet Creutzig, T
Dimofte, T
Garner, N
Geer, N
author_sort Creutzig, T
collection OXFORD
description We construct a family of 3d quantum field theories $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ that conjecturally provide a physical realization -- and derived generalization -- of non-semisimple mathematical TQFT's based on the modules for the quantum group $U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_n)$ at an even root of unity $q=\text{exp}(i\pi/k)$. The theories $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ are defined as topological twists of certain 3d $\mathcal N=4$ Chern-Simons-matter theories, which also admit string/M-theory realizations. They may be thought of as $SU(n)_{k-n}$ Chern-Simons theories, coupled to a twisted $\mathcal N=4$ matter sector (the source of non-semisimplicity). We show that $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ admits holomorphic boundary conditions supporting two different logarithmic vertex operator algebras, one of which is an $\mathfrak{sl}_n$-type Feigin-Tipunin algebra; and we conjecture that these two vertex operator algebras are related by a novel logarithmic level-rank duality. (We perform detailed computations to support the conjecture.) We thus relate the category of line operators in $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ to the derived category of modules for a boundary Feigin-Tipunin algebra, and -- using a logarithmic Kazhdan-Lusztig-like correspondence that has been established for $n=2$ and expected for general $n$ -- to the derived category of $U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_n)$ modules. We analyze many other key features of $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ and match them from quantum-group and VOA perspectives, including deformations by flat $PSL(n,\mathbb C)$ connections, one-form symmetries, and indices of (derived) genus-$g$ state spaces.
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spelling oxford-uuid:b0a583e5-bf6c-48b0-8028-0b2a38dbc1842024-12-06T17:42:34ZA QFT for non-semisimple TQFTJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:b0a583e5-bf6c-48b0-8028-0b2a38dbc184EnglishSymplectic ElementsInternational Press2024Creutzig, TDimofte, TGarner, NGeer, NWe construct a family of 3d quantum field theories $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ that conjecturally provide a physical realization -- and derived generalization -- of non-semisimple mathematical TQFT's based on the modules for the quantum group $U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_n)$ at an even root of unity $q=\text{exp}(i\pi/k)$. The theories $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ are defined as topological twists of certain 3d $\mathcal N=4$ Chern-Simons-matter theories, which also admit string/M-theory realizations. They may be thought of as $SU(n)_{k-n}$ Chern-Simons theories, coupled to a twisted $\mathcal N=4$ matter sector (the source of non-semisimplicity). We show that $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ admits holomorphic boundary conditions supporting two different logarithmic vertex operator algebras, one of which is an $\mathfrak{sl}_n$-type Feigin-Tipunin algebra; and we conjecture that these two vertex operator algebras are related by a novel logarithmic level-rank duality. (We perform detailed computations to support the conjecture.) We thus relate the category of line operators in $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ to the derived category of modules for a boundary Feigin-Tipunin algebra, and -- using a logarithmic Kazhdan-Lusztig-like correspondence that has been established for $n=2$ and expected for general $n$ -- to the derived category of $U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_n)$ modules. We analyze many other key features of $\mathcal T_{n,k}^A$ and match them from quantum-group and VOA perspectives, including deformations by flat $PSL(n,\mathbb C)$ connections, one-form symmetries, and indices of (derived) genus-$g$ state spaces.
spellingShingle Creutzig, T
Dimofte, T
Garner, N
Geer, N
A QFT for non-semisimple TQFT
title A QFT for non-semisimple TQFT
title_full A QFT for non-semisimple TQFT
title_fullStr A QFT for non-semisimple TQFT
title_full_unstemmed A QFT for non-semisimple TQFT
title_short A QFT for non-semisimple TQFT
title_sort qft for non semisimple tqft
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AT garnern aqftfornonsemisimpletqft
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AT creutzigt qftfornonsemisimpletqft
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