Equivariant localization in factorization homology and applications in mathematical physics I: Foundations

Abstract

We develop a theory of equivariant factorization algebras on varieties with an action of a connected algebraic group $G$, extending the definitions of Francis-Gaitsgory [FG] and Beilinson-Drinfeld [BD1] to the equivariant setting. We define an equivariant analogue of factorization homology, valued in modules over $\text{H}^\bullet_G(\text{pt})$, and in the case $G=(\mathbb{C}^\times)^n$ we prove an equivariant localization theorem for factorization homology, analogous to the classical localization theorem [AtB]. We establish a relationship between $\mathbb{C}^\times$ equivariant factorization algebras and filtered quantizations of their restrictions to the fixed point subvariety. These results provide a model for predictions from the physics literature about the $\Omega$-background construction introduced in [Nek1], interpreting factorization $\mathbb{E}_n$ algebras as observables in mixed holomorphic-topological quantum field theories. In the companion paper [Bu2], we develop tools to give geometric constructions of factorization $\mathbb{E}_n$ algebras, and apply them to define those corresponding to holomorphic-topological twists of supersymmetric gauge theories in low dimensions. Further, we apply our above results in these examples to give an account of the predictions of [CosG] as well as [Beem4], and explain the relation between these constructions from this perspective.