3d N=2 Theories from Cluster Algebras

Abstract

We propose a new description of 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ theories which do not admit conventional Lagrangians. Given a quiver $Q$ and a mutation sequence $m$ on it, we define a 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ theory $\mathcal{T}[(Q,m)]$ in such a way that the $S^3_b$ partition function of the theory coincides with the cluster partition function defined from the pair $(Q, m)$. Our formalism includes the case where 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ theories arise from the compactification of the 6d $(2,0)$ $A_{N-1}$ theory on a large class of 3-manifolds $M$, including complements of arbitrary links in $S^3$. In this case the quiver is defined from a 2d ideal triangulation, the mutation sequence represents an element of the mapping class group, and the 3-manifold is equipped with a canonical ideal triangulation. Our partition function then coincides with that of the holomorphic part of the $SL(N)$ Chern-Simons partition function on $M$.