Higgsing Transitions from Topological Field Theory & Non-Invertible Symmetry in Chern-Simons Matter Theories

Abstract

Non-invertible one-form symmetries are naturally realized in (2+1)d topological quantum field theories. In this work, we consider the potential realization of such symmetries in (2+1)d conformal field theories, investigating whether gapless systems can exhibit similar symmetry structures. To that end, we discuss transitions between topological field theories in (2+1)d which are driven by the Higgs mechanism in Chern-Simons matter theories. Such transitions can be modeled mesoscopically by filling spacetime with a lattice-shaped domain wall network separating the two topological phases. Along the domain walls are coset conformal field theories describing gapless chiral modes trapped by a locally vanishing scalar mass. In this presentation, the one-form symmetries of the transition point can be deduced by using anyon condensation to track lines through the domain wall network. Using this framework, we discuss a variety of concrete examples of non-invertible one-form symmetry in fixed-point theories. For instance, $SU(k)_{2}$ Chern-Simons theory coupled to a scalar in the symmetric tensor representation produces a transition from an $SU(k)_{2}$ phase to an $SO(k)_{4}$ phase and has non-invertible one-form symmetry $PSU(2)_{-k}$ at the fixed point. We also discuss theories with $Spin(2N)$ and $E_{7}$ gauge groups manifesting other patterns of non-invertible one-form symmetry. In many of our examples, the non-invertible one-form symmetry is not a modular invariant TQFT on its own and thus is an intrinsic part of the fixed-point dynamics.