arXiv · 2509.00995
Anchored Planar Algebras and 3-Categorical Graphical Calculus
Abstract
Anchored planar algebras, a generalized notion of Vaughan Jones' planar algebras, have recently seen use in higher category theory, functional analysis, and TQFT applications. These algebras are equipped with a natural 3-dimensional graphical calculus. We compare this graphical calculus with the 3-dimensional graphical calculus associated to tricategories, and we show that anchored planar algebras can be thought of as living in a particular tricategory. This allows for more general techniques to be applied to anchored planar algebras and expands the types of diagrams that anchored planar algebras can interpret.
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Brett Hungar. 2025-08-31. Anchored Planar Algebras and 3-Categorical Graphical Calculus. https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.00995
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