arXiv subjects

E. Sharpe

Publications and source records attributed to E. Sharpe.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Anomaly resolution via decomposition

In this paper we apply decomposition to orbifolds with quantum symmetries to resolve anomalies. Briefly, it has been argued by e.g. Wang-Wen-Witten, Tachikawa that an anomalous orbifold can sometimes be resolved by enlarging the orbifold group so that the pullback of the anomaly to the larger group is trivial. For this procedure to resolve the anomaly, one must specify a set of phases in the larger orbifold, whose form is implicit in the extension construction. There are multiple choices of consistent phases, which give rise to physically distinct resolutions. We apply decomposition, and find that theories with enlarged orbifold groups are equivalent to (disjoint unions of copies of) orbifolds by nonanomalous subgroups of the original orbifold group. In effect, decomposition implies that enlarging the orbifold group is equivalent to making it smaller. We provide a general conjecture for such descriptions, which we check in a number of examples.

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arXiv2021

A proposal for nonabelian (0,2) mirrors

In this paper we give a proposal for mirrors to (0,2) supersymmetric gauged linear sigma models (GLSMs), for those (0,2) GLSMs which are deformations of (2,2) GLSMs. Specifically, we propose a construction of (0,2) mirrors for (0,2) GLSMs with E terms that are linear and diagonal, reducing to both the Hori-Vafa prescription as well as a recent (2,2) nonabelian mirrors proposal on the (2,2) locus. For the special case of abelian (0,2) GLSMs, two of the authors have previously proposed a systematic construction, which is both simplified and generalized by the proposal here.

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arXiv2021

Elliptic genera of pure gauge theories in two dimensions with semisimple non-simply-connected gauge groups

In this paper we describe a systematic method to compute elliptic genera of (2,2) supersymmetric gauge theories in two dimensions with gauge group G/Gamma (for G semisimple and simply-connected, Gamma a subgroup of the center of G) with various discrete theta angles. We apply the technique to examples of pure gauge theories with low-rank gauge groups. Our results are consistent with expectations from decomposition of two-dimensional theories with finite global one-form symmetries and with computations of supersymmetry breaking for some discrete theta angles in pure gauge theories. Finally, we make predictions for the elliptic genera of all the other remaining pure gauge theories by applying decomposition and matching to known supersymmetry breaking patterns.

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arXiv2021

Quantum symmetries in orbifolds and decomposition

In this paper, we introduce a new set of modular-invariant phase factors for orbifolds with trivially-acting subgroups, analogous to discrete torsion and generalizing quantum symmetries. After describing their basic properties, we generalize decomposition to include orbifolds with these new phase factors, making a precise proposal for how such orbifolds are equivalent to disjoint unions of other orbifolds without trivially-acting subgroups or one-form symmetries, which we check in numerous examples.

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arXiv2020

GLSMs for exotic Grassmannians

In this paper we explore nonabelian gauged linear sigma models (GLSMs) for symplectic and orthogonal Grassmannians and flag manifolds, checking e.g. global symmetries, Witten indices, and Calabi-Yau conditions, following up a proposal in the math community. For symplectic Grassmannians, we check that the Coulomb branch vacua of the GLSM are consistent with ordinary and equivariant quantum cohomology of the space.

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arXiv2020

Notes on two-dimensional pure supersymmetric gauge theories

In this note we study IR limits of pure two-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories with semisimple non-simply-connected gauge groups including SU(k)/Z_k, SO(2k)/Z_2, Sp(2k)/Z_2, E_6/Z_3, and E_7/Z_2 for various discrete theta angles, both directly in the gauge theory and also in nonabelian mirrors, extending a classification begun in previous work. We find in each case that there are supersymmetric vacua for precisely one value of the discrete theta angle, and no supersymmetric vacua for other values, hence supersymmetry is broken in the IR for most discrete theta angles. Furthermore, for the one distinguished value of the discrete theta angle for which supersymmetry is unbroken, the theory has as many twisted chiral multiplet degrees of freedom in the IR as the rank. We take this opportunity to further develop the technology of nonabelian mirrors to discuss how the mirror to a G gauge theory differs from the mirror to a G/K gauge theory for K a subgroup of the center of G. In particular, the discrete theta angles in these cases are considerably more intricate than those of the pure gauge theories studied in previous papers, so we discuss the realization of these more complex discrete theta angles in the mirror construction. We find that discrete theta angles, both in the original gauge theory and their mirrors, are intimately related to the descriptions of centers of universal covering groups as quotients of weight lattices by root sublattices. We perform numerous consistency checks, comparing results against basic group-theoretic relations as well as with decomposition, which describes how two-dimensional theories with one-form symmetries (such as pure gauge theories with nontrivial centers) decompose into disjoint unions, in this case of pure gauge theories with quotiented gauge groups and discrete theta angles.

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arXiv2019

Undoing decomposition

In this paper we discuss gauging one-form symmetries in two-dimensional theories. The existence of a global one-form symmetry in two dimensions typically signals a violation of cluster decomposition -- an issue resolved by the observation that such theories decompose into disjoint unions, a result that has been applied to, for example, Gromov-Witten theory and gauged linear sigma model phases. In this paper we describe how gauging one-form symmetries in two-dimensional theories can be used to select particular elements of that disjoint union, effectively undoing decomposition. We examine such gaugings explicitly in examples involving orbifolds, nonsupersymmetric pure Yang-Mills theories, and supersymmetric gauge theories in two dimensions. Along the way, we learn explicit concrete details of the topological configurations that path integrals sum over when gauging a one-form symmetry, and we also uncover `hidden' one-form symmetries.

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arXiv2018

Two-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories with exceptional gauge groups

We apply the recent proposal for mirrors of nonabelian (2,2) supersymmetric two-dimensional gauge theories to make predictions for two-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories with exceptional gauge groups G2, F4, E6, E7, and E8. We compute the mirror Landau-Ginzburg models and predict excluded Coulomb loci and Coulomb branch relations (quantum cohomology). We also discuss the relationship between weight lattice normalizations and theta angle periodicities in the proposal, and explore different conventions for the mirrors. Finally, we discuss the behavior of pure gauge theories with exceptional gauge groups under RG flow, and describe evidence that any pure supersymmetric two-dimensional gauge theory with connected and simply-connected semisimple gauge group flows in the IR to a free theory of as many twisted chiral superfields as the rank of the gauge group, extending previous results for SU, SO, and Sp gauge theories.

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arXiv2018

A proposal for nonabelian mirrors

In this paper we propose a systematic construction of mirrors of nonabelian two dimensional (2,2) supersymmetric gauge theories. Specifically, we propose a construction of B-twisted Landau-Ginzburg orbifolds whose correlation functions match those of A-twisted supersymmetric gauge theories, and whose critical loci reproduce quantum cohomology and Coulomb branch relations in A-twisted gauge theories, generalizing the Hori-Vafa mirror construction. We check this proposal in a wide variety of examples. For instance, we construct mirrors corresponding to Grassmannians and two-step flag manifolds, as well as complete intersections therein, and explicitly check predictions for correlation functions and quantum cohomology rings, as well as other properties. We also consider mirrors to examples of gauge theories with U(k), U(k1) x U(k2), SU(k), SO(2k), SO(2k+1), and Sp(2k) gauge groups and a variety of matter representations, and compare to results in the literature for the original two dimensional gauge theories. Finally, we perform consistency checks of conjectures of Aharony et al that a two dimensional (2,2) supersymmetric pure SU(k) gauge theory flows to a theory of k-1 free twisted chiral multiplets, and also consider the analogous question in pure SO(3) theories. For one discrete theta angle, the SO(3) theory behaves the same as the SU(2) theory; for the other, supersymmetry is broken. We also perform consistency checks of analogous statements in pure supersymmetric SO and Sp gauge theories in two dimensions.

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arXiv2018

(0,2) versions of exotic (2,2) GLSMs

In this paper we extend work on exotic two-dimensional (2,2) supersymmetric gauged linear sigma models (GLSMs) in which, for example, geometries arise via nonperturbative effects, to (0,2) theories, and in so doing find some novel (0,2) GLSM phenomena. For one example, we describe examples in which bundles are constructed physically as cohomologies of short complexes involving torsion sheaves, a novel effect not previuosly seen in (0,2) GLSMs. We also describe examples related by RG flow in which the physical ralizations of the bundles are related by quasi-isomorphism, analogous to the physical realization of quasi-isomorphisms in D-branes and derived categories, but novel in (0,2) GLSMs. Finally, we also discuss (0,2) deformations in various duality frames of other examples.

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arXiv2017

GLSM realizations of maps and intersections of Grassmannians and Pfaffians

In this paper we give gauged linear sigma model (GLSM) realizations of a number of geometries not previously presented in GLSMs. We begin by describing GLSM realizations of maps including Veronese and Segre embeddings, which can be applied to give GLSMs explicitly describing constructions such as the intersection of one hypersurface with the image under some map of another. We also discuss GLSMs for intersections of Grassmannians and Pfaffians with one another, and with their images under various maps, which sometimes form exotic constructions of Calabi-Yaus, as well as GLSMs for other exotic Calabi-Yau constructions of Kanazawa. Much of this paper focuses on a specific set of examples of GLSMs for intersections of Grassmannians G(2,N) with themselves after a linear rotation, including the Calabi-Yau case N=5. One phase of the GLSM realizes an intersection of two Grassmannians, the other phase realizes an intersection of two Pfaffians. The GLSM has two nonabelian factors in its gauge group, and we consider dualities in those factors. In both the original GLSM and a double-dual, one geometric phase is realized perturbatively (as the critical locus of a superpotential), and the other via quantum effects. Dualizing on a single gauge group factor yields a model in which each geometry is realized through a simultaneous combination of perturbative and quantum effects.

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arXiv2017

A proposal for (0,2) mirrors of toric varieties

In this paper we propose (0,2) mirrors for general Fano toric varieties with special tangent bundle deformations, corresponding to subsets of toric deformations. Our mirrors are of the form of (B/2-twisted) (0,2) Landau-Ginzburg models, matching Hori-Vafa mirrors on the (2,2) locus. We compare our predictions to (0,2) mirrors obtained by Chen et al for certain examples of toric varieties, and find that they match. We also briefly outline conjectures for analogous results for hypersurfaces in Fano toric varieties. Our methods utilize results from supersymmetric localization, which allows us to incidentally gain occasional further insights into GLSM-based (2,2) mirror constructions. For example, we explicitly verify that closed-string correlation functions of the original A-twisted GLSM match those of the mirror B-twisted Landau-Ginzburg model, as well as (0,2) deformations thereof.

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arXiv2017

More Toda-like (0,2) mirrors

In this paper, we extend our previous work to construct (0,2) Toda-like mirrors to A/2-twisted theories on more general spaces, as part of a program of understanding (0,2) mirror symmetry. Specifically, we propose (0,2) mirrors to GLSMs on toric del Pezzo surfaces and Hirzebruch surfaces with deformations of the tangent bundle. We check the results by comparing correlation functions, global symmetries, as well as geometric blowdowns with the corresponding (0,2) Toda-like mirrors. We also briefly discuss Grassmannian manifolds.

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arXiv2016

Duality group actions on fermions

In this short paper we look at the action of T-duality and string duality groups on fermions, in maximally-supersymmetric theories and related theories. Briefly, we argue that typical duality groups such as SL(2,Z) have sign ambiguities in their actions on fermions, and propose that pertinent duality groups be extended by Z_2, to groups such as the metaplectic group. Specifically, we look at duality groups arising from mapping class groups of tori in M theory compactifications, T-duality, ten-dimensional type IIB S-duality, and (briefly) four-dimensional N=4 super Yang-Mills, and in each case, propose that the full duality group is a nontrivial Z_2 extension of the duality group acting on bosonic degrees of freedom, to more accurately describe possible actions on fermions. We also walk through U-duality groups for toroidal compactifications to nine, eight, and seven dimensions, which enables us to perform cross-consistency tests of these proposals.

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arXiv2016

Bagger-Witten line bundles on moduli spaces of elliptic curves

In this paper we discuss Bagger-Witten line bundles over moduli spaces of SCFTs. We review how in general they are `fractional' line bundles, not honest line bundles, twisted on triple overlaps. We discuss the special case of moduli spaces of elliptic curves in detail. There, the Bagger-Witten line bundle does not exist as an ordinary line bundle, but rather is necessarily fractional. As a fractional line bundle, it is nontrivial (though torsion) over the uncompactified moduli stack, and its restriction to the interior, excising corners with enhanced stabilizers, is also fractional. It becomes an honest line bundle on a moduli stack defined by a quotient of the upper half plane by a metaplectic group, rather than SL(2,Z). We review and compare to results of recent work arguing that well-definedness of the worldsheet metric implies that the Bagger-Witten line bundle admits a flat connection (which includes torsion bundles as special cases), and give general arguments on the existence of universal structures on moduli spaces of SCFTs, in which superconformal deformation parameters are promoted to nondynamical fields ranging over the SCFT moduli space.

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arXiv2016

Notes on generalized global symmetries in QFT

It was recently argued that quantum field theories possess one-form and higher-form symmetries, labelled `generalized global symmetries.' In this paper, we describe how those higher-form symmetries can be understood mathematically as special cases of more general 2-groups and higher groups, and discuss examples of quantum field theories admitting actions of more general higher groups than merely one-form and higher-form symmetries. We discuss analogues of topological defects for some of these higher symmetry groups, relating some of them to ordinary topological defects. We also discuss topological defects in cases in which the moduli `space' (technically, a stack) admits an action of a higher symmetry group. Finally, we outline a proposal for how certain anomalies might potentially be understood as describing a transmutation of an ordinary group symmetry of the classical theory into a 2-group or higher group symmetry of the quantum theory, which we link to WZW models and bosonization.

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arXiv2015

Chiral operators in two-dimensional (0,2) theories and a test of triality

In this paper we compute spaces of chiral operators in general two-dimensional (0,2) nonlinear sigma models, both in theories twistable to the A/2 or B/2 model, as well as in non-twistable theories, and apply them to check recent duality conjectures. The fact that in a nonlinear sigma model, the Fock vacuum can act as a section of a line bundle on the target space plays a crucial role in our (0,2) computations, so we begin with a review of this property. We also take this opportunity to show how even in (2,2) theories, the Fock vacuum encodes in this way choices of target space spin structures, and discuss how such choices enter the A and B model topological field theories. We then compute chiral operators in general (0,2) nonlinear sigma models, and apply them to test the recent Gadde-Gukov-Putrov triality proposal, which says that certain triples of (0,2) GLSMs should RG flow to nontrivial IR fixed points. We find that different UV theories in the same proposed universality class do not necessarily have the same space of chiral operators -- but, the mismatched operators do not contribute to elliptic genera and are in non-integrable representations of the proposed IR affine symmetry groups, suggesting that the mismatched states become massive along RG flow. We find this state matching in examples not only of different geometric phases of the same GLSMs, but also in phases of different GLSMs, indirectly verifying the triality proposal, and giving a clean demonstration that (0,2) chiral rings are not topologically protected. We also check proposals for enhanced IR affine E_6 symmetries in one such model, verifying that (matching) chiral states in phases of corresponding GLSMs transform as 27s, 27^*s.

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arXiv2015

A few recent developments in 2d (2,2) and (0,2) theories

In this note we summarize a few of the many recent developments in two-dimensional quantum field theories. We begin with a review of the current state of quantum sheaf cohomology, a heterotic analogue of quantum cohomology. We then turn to dualities: we outline the current status of (0,2) mirror symmetry, and then outline recent work on two-dimensional gauge dualities. In particular, we describe how many two-dimensional gauge dualities in both (2,2) and (0,2) supersymmetric gauge theories can be understood simply as different presentations of the same infrared (IR) geometry. We then discuss (not necessarily supersymmetric) two-dimensional nonabelian gauge theories in which a subgroup of the gauge group acts trivially on massless matter. We describe how these theories 'decompose' into disjoint unions of other theories indexed by discrete theta angles, a fact which in other contexts has proven to have implications for interpretations of certain gauged linear sigma models (GLSMs) and for Gromov-Witten invariants of stacks. We conclude with a discussion of recent developments in infinitesimal moduli of heterotic compactifications.

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