Higher central charges and topological boundaries in 2+1-dimensional TQFTs
Justin Kaidi, Zohar Komargodski, Kantaro Ohmori, Sahand Seifnashri, Shu-Heng Shao
SciPost Phys. 13, 067 (2022) · published 26 September 2022
- doi: 10.21468/SciPostPhys.13.3.067
- Submissions/Reports
Abstract
A 2+1-dimensional topological quantum field theory (TQFT) may or may not admit topological (gapped) boundary conditions. A famous necessary, but not sufficient, condition for the existence of a topological boundary condition is that the chiral central charge $c_-$ has to vanish. In this paper, we consider conditions associated with "higher" central charges, which have been introduced recently in the math literature. In terms of these new obstructions, we identify necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a topological boundary in the case of bosonic, Abelian TQFTs, providing an alternative to the identification of a Lagrangian subgroup. Our proof relies on general aspects of gauging generalized global symmetries. For non-Abelian TQFTs, we give a geometric way of studying topological boundary conditions, and explain certain necessary conditions given again in terms of the higher central charges. Along the way, we find a curious duality in the partition functions of Abelian TQFTs, which begs for an explanation via the 3d-3d correspondence.
Cited by 32
Authors / Affiliations: mappings to Contributors and Organizations
See all Organizations.- 1 Justin Kaidi,
- 1 Zohar Komargodski,
- 1 2 Kantaro Ohmori,
- 1 Sahand Seifnashri,
- 3 4 Shu-Heng Shao
- 1 Stony Brook University [SUNY Stony Brook]
- 2 東京大学 / University of Tokyo [UT]
- 3 Institute for Advanced Study [IAS]
- 4 C.N. Yang Institute for Theoretical Physics
- Simons Foundation
- United States - Israel Binational Science Foundation (through Organization: United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation [BSF])