arXiv subjects

Heeyeon Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Heeyeon Kim.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Seifert fibering operators in 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ theories

We study 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric gauge theories on closed oriented Seifert manifold---circle bundles over an orbifold Riemann surface---, with a gauge group G given by a product of simply-connected and/or unitary Lie groups. Our main result is an exact formula for the supersymmetric partition function on any Seifert manifold, generalizing previous results on lens spaces. We explain how the result for an arbitrary Seifert geometry can be obtained by combining simple building blocks, the "fibering operators." These operators are half-BPS line defects, whose insertion along the $S^1$ fiber has the effect of changing the topology of the Seifert fibration. We also point out that most supersymmetric partition functions on Seifert manifolds admit a discrete refinement, corresponding to the freedom in choosing a three-dimensional spin structure. As a strong consistency check on our result, we show that the Seifert partition functions match exactly across infrared dualities. The duality relations are given by intricate (and seemingly new) mathematical identities, which we tested numerically. Finally, we discuss in detail the supersymmetric partition function on the lens space $L(p,q)_b$ with rational squashing parameter $b^2 \in \mathbb{Q}$, comparing our formalism to previous results, and explaining the relationship between the fibering operators and the three-dimensional holomorphic blocks.

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arXiv2017

$\mathcal{N}{=}1$ supersymmetric indices and the four-dimensional A-model

We compute the supersymmetric partition function of $\mathcal{N}{=}1$ supersymmetric gauge theories with an $R$-symmetry on $\mathcal{M}_4 \cong \mathcal{M}_{g,p}\times S^1$, a principal elliptic fiber bundle of degree $p$ over a genus-$g$ Riemann surface, $Σ_g$. Equivalently, we compute the generalized supersymmetric index $I_{\mathcal{M}_{g,p}}$, with the supersymmetric three-manifold ${\mathcal{M}_{g,p}}$ as the spatial slice. The ordinary $\mathcal{N}{=}1$ supersymmetric index on the round three-sphere is recovered as a special case. We approach this computation from the point of view of a topological $A$-model for the abelianized gauge fields on the base $Σ_g$. This $A$-model---or $A$-twisted two-dimensional $\mathcal{N}{=}(2,2)$ gauge theory---encodes all the information about the generalized indices, which are viewed as expectations values of some canonically-defined surface defects wrapped on $T^2$ inside $Σ_g \times T^2$. Being defined by compactification on the torus, the $A$-model also enjoys natural modular properties, governed by the four-dimensional 't Hooft anomalies. As an application of our results, we provide new tests of Seiberg duality. We also present a new evaluation formula for the three-sphere index as a sum over two-dimensional vacua.

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arXiv2017

Supersymmetric partition functions and the three-dimensional A-twist

We study three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric gauge theories on $\mathcal{M}_{g,p}$, an oriented circle bundle of degree $p$ over a closed Riemann surface, $Σ_g$. We compute the $\mathcal{M}_{g,p}$ supersymmetric partition function and correlation functions of supersymmetric loop operators. This uncovers interesting relations between observables on manifolds of different topologies. In particular, the familiar supersymmetric partition function on the round $S^3$ can be understood as the expectation value of a so-called "fibering operator" on $S^2 \times S^1$ with a topological twist. More generally, we show that the 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric partition functions (and supersymmetric Wilson loop correlation functions) on $\mathcal{M}_{g,p}$ are fully determined by the two-dimensional A-twisted topological field theory obtained by compactifying the 3d theory on a circle. We give two complementary derivations of the result. We also discuss applications to F-maximization and to three-dimensional supersymmetric dualities.

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arXiv2016

Comments on twisted indices in 3d supersymmetric gauge theories

We study three-dimensional ${\mathcal N}=2$ supersymmetric gauge theories on ${Σ_g \times S^1}$ with a topological twist along $Σ_g$, a genus-$g$ Riemann surface. The twisted supersymmetric index at genus $g$ and the correlation functions of half-BPS loop operators on $S^1$ can be computed exactly by supersymmetric localization. For $g=1$, this gives a simple UV computation of the 3d Witten index. Twisted indices provide us with a clean derivation of the quantum algebra of supersymmetric Wilson loops, for any Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons-matter theory, in terms of the associated Bethe equations for the theory on ${\mathbb R}^2 \times S^1$. This also provides a powerful and simple tool to study 3d ${\mathcal N}=2$ Seiberg dualities. Finally, we study A- and B-twisted indices for ${\mathcal N}=4$ supersymmetric gauge theories, which turns out to be very useful for quantitative studies of three-dimensional mirror symmetry. We also briefly comment on a relation between the $S^2 \times S^1$ twisted indices and the Hilbert series of ${\mathcal N}=4$ moduli spaces.

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arXiv2015

Scaling Behaviour of Quiver Quantum Mechanics

We explore vacuum degeneracy of Kronecker quiver with large ranks, by computing Witten index of corresponding 1d gauged linear sigma model. For $(d-1,d)_k$ quivers with the intersection number $k$, we actually counted index of its mutation equivalent, $(d,(k-1)d+1)_k$, and find exponentially large behaviour whenever $k\ge 3$. We close with speculation on more general ranks of Kronecker quiver including the nonprimitive cases.

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arXiv2015

Mutation, Witten Index, and Quiver Invariant

We explore Seiberg-like dualities, or mutations, for ${\cal N}=4$ quiver quantum mechanics in the context of wall-crossing. In contrast to higher dimensions, the 1d Seiberg-duality must be performed with much care. With fixed Fayet-Iliopoulos constants, at most two nodes can be mutated, one left and the other right, mapping a chamber of a quiver into a chamber of a mutated quiver. We delineate this complex pattern for triangle quivers and show how the Witten indices are preserved under such finely chosen mutations. On the other hand, the quiver invariants, or wall-crossing-safe part of supersymmetric spectra, mutate more straightforwardly, whereby a quiver is mapped to a quiver. The mutation rule that preserves the quiver invariant is different from the usual one, however, which we explore and confirm numerically.

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arXiv2014

Witten Index and Wall Crossing

We compute the Witten index of one-dimensional gauged linear sigma models with at least ${\mathcal N}=2$ supersymmetry. In the phase where the gauge group is broken to a finite group, the index is expressed as a certain residue integral. It is subject to a change as the Fayet-Iliopoulos parameter is varied through the phase boundaries. The wall crossing formula is expressed as an integral at infinity of the Coulomb branch. The result is applied to many examples, including quiver quantum mechanics that is relevant for BPS states in $d=4$ ${\mathcal N}=2$ theories.

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arXiv2014

Exact Partition Functions on RP2 and Orientifolds

We consider gauged linear sigma models (GLSM) on $\mathbb{RP}^2$, obtained from a parity projection of $S^2$. The theories admit squashing deformation, much like GLSM on $S^2$, which allows us to interpret the partition function as the overlap amplitude between the vacuum state and crosscap states. From these, we extract the central charge of Orientifold planes, and observe that the Gamma class makes a prominent appearance as in the recent D-brane counterpart. We also repeat the computation for the mirror Landau-Ginzburg theory, which naturally brings out the $θ$-dependence as a relative sign between two holonomy sectors on $\mathbb{RP}^2$. We also show how our results are consistent with known topological properties of D-brane and Orientifold plane world-volumes, and discuss what part of the wrapped D-brane/Orientifold central charge should be attributed to the quantum volumes.

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arXiv2012

D-brane anomaly inflow revisited

Axial and gravitational anomaly of field theories, when embedded in string theory, must be accompanied by canceling inflow. We give a self-contained overview for various world-volume theories, and clarify the role of smeared magnetic sources in I-brane/D-brane cases. The proper anomaly descent of the source, as demanded by regularity of RR field strengths H's, turns out to be an essential ingredient. We show how this allows correct inflow to be generated for all such theories, including self-dual cases, and also that the mechanism is now insensitive to the choice between the two related but inequivalent forms of D-brane Chern-Simons couplings. In particular, SO(6)_R axial anomaly of d=4 maximal SYM is canceled by the inflow onto D3-branes via the standard minimal coupling to C_4. We also propose how, for the anomaly cancelation, the four types of Orientifold planes should be coupled to the spacetime curvatures, of which conflicting claims existed previously.

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arXiv2011

Ab Initio Wall-Crossing

We derive supersymmetric quantum mechanics of n BPS objects with 3n position degrees of freedom and 4n fermionic partners with SO(4) R-symmetry. The potential terms, essential and sufficient for the index problem for non-threshold BPS states, are universal, and 2(n-1) dimensional classical moduli spaces M_n emerge from zero locus of the potential energy. We emphasize that there is no natural reduction of the quantum mechanics to M_n, contrary to the conventional wisdom. Nevertheless, via an index-preserving deformation that breaks supersymmetry partially, we derive a Dirac index on M_n as the fundamental state counting quantity. This rigorously fills a missing link in the "Coulomb phase" wall-crossing formula in literature. We then impose Bose/Fermi statistics of identical centers, and derive the general wall-crossing formula, applicable to both BPS black holes and BPS dyons. Also explained dynamically is how the rational invariant ~Ω(β)/p^2, appearing repeatedly in wall-crossing formulae, can be understood as the universal multiplicative factor due to p identical, coincident, yet unbound, BPS particles of charge β. Along the way, we also clarify relationships between field theory state countings and quantum mechanical indices.

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