arXiv subjects

Sergio Cecotti

Publications and source records attributed to Sergio Cecotti.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Categorical Webs and $S$-duality in 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ QFT

We review the categorical approach to the BPS sector of a 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ QFT, clarifying many tricky issues and presenting a few novel results. To a given $\mathcal{N}=2$ QFT one associates several triangle categories: they describe various kinds of BPS objects from different physical viewpoints (e.g. IR versus UV). These diverse categories are related by a web of exact functors expressing physical relations between the various objects/pictures. A basic theme of this review is the emphasis on the full web of categories, rather than on what we can learn from a single description. A second general theme is viewing the cluster category as a sort of `categorification' of 't Hooft's theory of quantum phases for a 4d non-Abelian gauge theory. The $S$-duality group is best described as the auto-equivalences of the full web of categories. This viewpoint leads to a combinatorial algorithm to search for $S$-dualities of the given $\mathcal{N}=2$ theory. If the ranks of the gauge and flavor groups are not too big, the algorithm may be effectively run on a laptop. This viewpoint also leads to a clearer view of $3d$ mirror symmetry. For class $\mathcal{S}$ theories, all the relevant triangle categories may also be constructed in terms of geometric objects on the Gaiotto curve, and we present the dictionary between triangle categories and the WKB approach of GMN. We also review how the VEV's of UV line operators are related to cluster characters.

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arXiv2016

Homological S-Duality in 4d N=2 QFTs

The $S$-duality group $\mathbb{S}(\mathcal{F})$ of a 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric theory $\mathcal{F}$ is identified with the group of triangle auto-equivalences of its cluster category $\mathscr{C}(\mathcal{F})$ modulo the subgroup acting trivially on the physical quantities. $\mathbb{S}(\mathcal{F})$ is a discrete group commensurable to a subgroup of the Siegel modular group $Sp(2g,\mathbb{Z})$ ($g$ being the dimension of the Coulomb branch). This identification reduces the determination of the $S$-duality group of a given $\mathcal{N}=2$ theory to a problem in homological algebra. In this paper we describe the techniques which make the computation straightforward for a large class of $\mathcal{N}=2$ QFTs. The group $\mathbb{S}(\mathcal{F})$ is naturally presented as a generalized braid group. The $S$-duality groups are often larger than expected. In some models the enhancement of $S$-duality is quite spectacular. For instance, a QFT with a huge $S$-duality group is the Lagrangian SCFT with gauge group $SO(8)\times SO(5)^3\times SO(3)^6$ and half-hypermultiplets in the bi- and tri-spinor representations. We focus on four families of examples: the $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFTs of the form $(G,G^\prime)$, $D_p(G)$, and $E_r^{(1,1)}(G)$, as well as the asymptotically-free theories $(G,\widehat{H})$ (which contain $\mathcal{N}=2$ SQCD as a special case). For the $E_r^{(1,1)}(G)$ models we confirm the presence of the $PSL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ $S$-duality group predicted by Del Zotto, Vafa and Xie, but for most models in this class $S$-duality gets enhanced to a much larger group.

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arXiv2015

Superconformal Index, BPS Monodromy and Chiral Algebras

We show that specializations of the 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ superconformal index labeled by an integer $N$ is given by $\textrm{Tr}\,{\cal M}^N$ where ${\cal M}$ is the Kontsevich-Soibelman monodromy operator for BPS states on the Coulomb branch. We provide evidence that the states enumerated by these limits of the index lead to a family of 2d chiral algebras $\mathcal{A}_{N}$. This generalizes the recent results for the $N=-1$ case which corresponds to the Schur limit of the superconformal index. We show that this specialization of the index leads to the same integrand as that of the elliptic genus of compactification of the superconformal theory on $S^2\times T^2$ where we turn on $\frac{1}{2} N$ units of $U(1)_r$ flux on $S^2$.

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arXiv2015

Higher S-dualities and Shephard-Todd groups

Seiberg and Witten have shown that in N=2 SQCD with $N_f=2N_c=4$ the S-duality group PSL(2,Z) acts on the flavor charges, which are weights of Spin(8), by triality. There are other N=2 SCFTs in which SU(2) SYM is coupled to strongly-interacting non-Lagrangian matter: their matter charges are weights of $E_6$, $E_7$ and $E_8$ instead of Spin(8). The S-duality group PSL(2,Z) acts on these weights: what replaces Spin(8) triality for the $E_6,E_7,E_8$ root lattices? In this paper we answer the question. The action on the matter charges of (a finite central extension of) PSL(2,Z) factorizes trough the action of the exceptional Shephard--Todd groups $G_4$ and $G_8$ which should be seen as complex analogs of the usual triality group $\mathfrak{S}_3\simeq \mathrm{Weyl}(A_2)$. Our analysis is based on the identification of S-duality for SU(2) gauge SCFTs with the group of automorphisms of the cluster category of weighted projective lines of tubular type.

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arXiv2015

Galois covers of N=2 BPS spectra and quantum monodromy

The BPS spectrum of many 4d N=2 theories may be seen as the (categorical) Galois cover of the BPS spectrum of a different 4d N=2 model. The Galois group G acts as a physical symmetry of the covering N=2 model. The simplest instance is SU(2) SQCD with N_f=2 quarks, whose BPS spectrum is a Z_2-cover of the BPS spectrum of pure SYM. More generally, N=2 SYM with simply--laced gauge group admits Z_k-covers for all k; e.g. the Z_2-cover of SO(8) SYM is SO(8) SYM coupled to two copies of the E_6 Minahan-Nemeshanski SCFT. Galois covers simplify considerably the computation of the BPS spectrum at G-symmetric points, in both finite and infinite chambers. When the covering and quotient QFTs admit a geometric engineering, say for class S models, the categorical spectral cover may be realized as a covering map in the geometry. A particularly nice instance is when the spectral Galois cover is induced by a modular cover of principal modular curves, X(NM)-> X(M), or, more generally, by regular Grothendieck's dessins d'enfants; the BPS spectra of the corresponding N=2 QFTs have magic properties. The Galois covers allow to study effectively the action of the quantum (half)monodromy of 4d N=2 QFTs. We present several examples and applications of the spectral covering philosophy.

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arXiv2014

The quiver approach to the BPS spectrum of a 4d N=2 gauge theory

We present a survey of the computation of the BPS spectrum of a general four-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric gauge theory in terms of the Representation Theory of quivers with superpotential. We focus on SYM with a general gauge group G coupled to standard matter in arbitrary representations of G (consistent with a non--positive beta--function). The situation is particularly tricky and interesting when the matter consists of an odd number of half-hypermultiplets: we describe in detail SU(6) SYM coupled to half a 20, SO(12) SYM coupled to half a 32, and E_7 SYM coupled to half a 56.

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arXiv2014

Twistorial Topological Strings and a tt* Geometry for N=2 Theories in 4d

We define twistorial topological strings by considering tt* geometry of the 4d N=2 supersymmetric theories on the Nekrasov-Shatashvili half-Omega background, which leads to quantization of the associated hyperKahler geometries. We show that in one limit it reduces to the refined topological string amplitude. In another limit it is a solution to a quantum Riemann-Hilbert problem involving quantum Kontsevich-Soibelman operators. In a further limit it encodes the hyperKahler integrable systems studied by GMN. In the context of AGT conjecture, this perspective leads to a twistorial extension of Toda. The 2d index of the half-Omega theory leads to the recently introduced index for N=2 theories in 4d. The twistorial topological string can alternatively be viewed, using the work of Nekrasov-Witten, as studying the vacuum geometry of 4d N=2 supersymmetric theories on T^2x I where I is an interval with specific boundary conditions at the two ends.

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arXiv2014

$Y$ systems, $Q$ systems, and 4D $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric QFT

We review the connection of $Y$- and $Q$-systems with the BPS spectra of $4D$ $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric QFTs. For each finite BPS chamber of a $\mathcal{N}=2$ model which is UV superconformal, one gets a periodic $Y$-system, while for each finite BPS chamber of an asymptotically-free $\mathcal{N}=2$ QFT one gets a $Q$-system i.e. a rational recursion all whose solutions satisfy a linear recursion with constant coefficients (depending on the initial conditions). For instance, the classical $ADE$ $Y$-systems of Zamolodchikov correspond to the $ADE$ Argyres-Douglas $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFTs, while the usual $ADE$ $Q$-systems to pure $\mathcal{N}=2$ SYM. After having motivated the correspondence both from the QFT and the TBA sides, and having introduced the basic tricks of the trade, we exploit the connection to construct and SOLVE new $Y$- and $Q$-systems. In particular, we present the new $Y$-systems associated to the $E_6,E_7,E_8$ Minahan-Nemeshanski SCFTs and to the $D_2(G)$ SCFTs. We also present new $Q$-system corresponding to SYM coupled to specific matter systems such that the YM $β$-function remains negative.

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arXiv2014

Cosmological Attractor Models and Higher Curvature Supergravity

We study cosmological $α$-attractors in superconformal/supergravity models, where $α$ is related to the geometry of the moduli space. For $α=1$ attractors \cite{Kallosh:2013hoa} we present a generalization of the previously known manifestly superconformal higher curvature supergravity model \cite{Cecotti:1987sa}. The relevant standard 2-derivative supergravity with a minimum of two chiral multiplets is shown to be dual to a 4-derivative higher curvature supergravity, where in general one of the chiral superfields is traded for a curvature superfield. There is a degenerate case when both matter superfields become non-dynamical and there is only a chiral curvature superfield, pure higher derivative supergravity. Generic $α$-models \cite{Kallosh:2013yoa} interpolate between the attractor point at $α=0$ and generic chaotic inflation models at large $α$, in the limit when the inflaton moduli space becomes flat. They have higher derivative duals with the same number of matter fields as the original theory or less, but at least one matter multiplet remains. In the context of these models, the detection of primordial gravity waves will provide information on the curvature of the inflaton submanifold of the Kahler manifold, and we will learn if the inflaton is a fundamental matter multiplet, or can be replaced by a higher derivative curvature excitation.

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arXiv2013

tt* Geometry in 3 and 4 Dimensions

We consider the vacuum geometry of supersymmetric theories with 4 supercharges, on a flat toroidal geometry. The 2 dimensional vacuum geometry is known to be captured by the $tt^*$ geometry. In the case of 3 dimensions, the parameter space is $(T^{2}\times {\mathbb R})^N$ and the vacuum geometry turns out to be a solution to a generalization of monopole equations in $3N$ dimensions where the relevant topological ring is that of line operators. We compute the generalization of the 2d cigar amplitudes, which lead to $S^2\times S^1$ or $S^3$ partition functions which are distinct from the supersymmetric partition functions on these spaces, but reduce to them in a certain limit. We show the sense in which these amplitudes generalize the structure of 3d Chern-Simons theories and 2d RCFT's. In the case of 4 dimensions the parameter space is of the form $(T^3\times {\mathbb R})^M\times T^{3N}$, and the vacuum geometry is a solution to a mixture of generalized monopole equations and generalized instanton equations (known as hyper-holomorphic connections). In this case the topological rings are associated to surface operators. We discuss the physical meaning of the generalized Nahm transforms which act on all of these geometries.

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arXiv2013

More on the N=2 superconformal systems of type $D_p(G)$

A large family of 4d N=2 SCFT's was introduced in arXiv:1210.2886. Its elements $D_p(G)$ are labelled by a positive integer p\in N and a simply-laced Lie group G; their flavor symmetry is at least G. In the present paper we study their physics in detail. We also analyze the properties of the theories obtained by gauging the diagonal symmetry of a collection of $D_{p_i}(G)$ models. In all cases the computation of the physical quantities reduces to simple Lie-theoretical questions. To make the analysis more functorial, we replace the notion of the BPS-quiver of the N=2 QFT by the more intrinsic concept of its META-quiver. In particular: 1) We compute the SCFT central charges a, c, k, and flavor group F for all $D_p(G)$ models. 2) We identify the subclass of $D_p(G)$ theories which correspond to previously known SCFT's (linear SU and SO-USp quiver theories, Argyres-Douglas models, superconformal gaugings of Minahan-Nemeshanski E_r models, etc.), as well as to non-trivial IR fixed points of known theories. The $D_p(E_r)$ SCFT's with $p\geq 3$ cannot be constructed by any traditional method. 3) We investigate the finite BPS chambers of some of the models. 4) As a by product, we prove three conjectures by Xie and Zhao, and provide new checks of the Argyres-Seiberg duality.

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arXiv2013

The BPS spectrum of the 4d N=2 SCFT's H_1, H_2, D_4, E_6, E_7, E_8

Extending results of arXiv:1112.3984, we show that all rank 1 N=2 SCFT's in the sequence H_1, H_2, D_4 E_6, E_7, E_8 have canonical finite BPS chambers containing precisely 2 h(F)=12(Delta-1) hypermultiplets. The BPS spectrum of the canonical BPS chambers saturates the conformal central charge c, and satisfies some intriguing numerology.

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arXiv2012

Infinitely many N=2 SCFT with ADE flavor symmetry

We present evidence that for each ADE Lie group G there is an infinite tower of 4D N=2 SCFTs, which we label as D(G,s) (with s a positive integer), having (at least) flavor symmetry G. For G=SU(2), D(SU(2),s) coincides with the Argyres--Douglas model of type D_{s+1}, while for larger flavor groups the models are new (but for a few previously known examples). When its flavor symmetry G is gauged, D(G,s) contributes to the Yang-Mills beta-function as s/[2(s+1)] adjoint hypermultiplets. The argument is based on a combination of Type IIB geometric engineering and the categorical deconstruction of arXiv:1203.6743. One first engineers a class of N=2 models which, trough the analysis of their category of quiver representations, are identified as asymptotically-free gauge theories with gauge group G coupled to some conformal matter system. Taking the limit g->0 one isolates the matter SCFT which is our D(G,s).

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arXiv2012

BPS Quivers and Spectra of Complete N=2 Quantum Field Theories

We study the BPS spectra of N=2 complete quantum field theories in four dimensions. For examples that can be described by a pair of M5 branes on a punctured Riemann surface we explain how triangulations of the surface fix a BPS quiver and superpotential for the theory. The BPS spectrum can then be determined by solving the quantum mechanics problem encoded by the quiver. By analyzing the structure of this quantum mechanics we show that all asymptotically free examples, Argyres-Douglas models, and theories defined by punctured spheres and tori have a chamber with finitely many BPS states. In all such cases we determine the spectrum.

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arXiv2012

4d N=2 Gauge Theories and Quivers: the Non-Simply Laced Case

We construct the BPS quivers with superpotential for the 4d N=2 gauge theories with non-simply laced Lie groups (B_n, C_n, F_4 and G_2). The construction is inspired by the BIKMSV geometric engineering of these gauge groups as non-split singular elliptic fibrations. From the categorical viewpoint of arXiv:1203.6743, the fibration of the light category L(g) over the (degenerate) Gaiotto curve has a monodromy given by the action of the outer automorphism of the corresponding unfolded Lie algebra. In view of the Katz--Vafa `matter from geometry' mechanism, the monodromic idea may be extended to the construction of (Q, W) for SYM coupled to higher matter representations. This is done through a construction we call specialization.

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arXiv2012

Half--Hypers and Quivers

We study systematically the BPS spectra of N=2 SYM coupled to half--hypermultiplets, the basic example being E_7 SYM coupled to a half--hyper in the 56 irrepr. In order to do this, we determine the BPS quivers with superpotential of such N=2 models using a new technique we introduce. The computation of the BPS spectra in the various chambers is then reduced to the Representation Theory of the resulting quivers. We use the quiver description to study the BPS spectrum at both strong and weak coupling. The following models are discussed in detail: SU(6) SYM coupled to a half 20, SO(12) SYM coupled to a half 32, and E_7 SYM coupled to a half 56. For models with gauge group SU(2) x SO(2n) and matter in the half (2,2n) we find strongly coupled chambers with a BPS spectrum consisting of just finitely many hypermultiplets.

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arXiv2012

Categorical Tinkertoys for N=2 Gauge Theories

In view of classification of the quiver 4d N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories, we discuss the characterization of the quivers with superpotential (Q,W) associated to a N=2 QFT which, in some corner of its parameter space, looks like a gauge theory with gauge group G. The basic idea is that the Abelian category rep(Q,W) of (finite-dimensional) representations of the Jacobian algebra $\mathbb{C} Q/(\partial W)$ should enjoy what we call the Ringel property of type G; in particular, rep(Q,W) should contain a universal `generic' subcategory, which depends only on the gauge group G, capturing the universality of the gauge sector. There is a family of 'light' subcategories $\mathscr{L}_λ\subset rep(Q,W)$, indexed by points $λ\in N$, where $N$ is a projective variety whose irreducible components are copies of $\mathbb{P}^1$ in one--to--one correspondence with the simple factors of G. In particular, for a Gaiotto theory there is one such family of subcategories, $\mathscr{L}_{λ\in N}$, for each maximal degeneration of the corresponding surface $Σ$, and the index variety $N$ may be identified with the degenerate Gaiotto surface itself: generic light subcategories correspond to cylinders, while closed-point subcategories to `fixtures' (spheres with three punctures of various kinds) and higher-order generalizations. The rules for `gluing' categories are more general that the geometric gluing of surfaces, allowing for a few additional exceptional N=2 theories which are not of the Gaiotto class.

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arXiv2011

N=2 Quantum Field Theories and Their BPS Quivers

We explore the relationship between four-dimensional N=2 quantum field theories and their associated BPS quivers. For a wide class of theories including super-Yang-Mills theories, Argyres-Douglas models, and theories defined by M5-branes on punctured Riemann surfaces, there exists a quiver which implicitly characterizes the field theory. We study various aspects of this correspondence including the quiver interpretation of flavor symmetries, gauging, decoupling limits, and field theory dualities. In general a given quiver describes only a patch of the moduli space of the field theory, and a key role is played by quantum mechanical dualities, encoded by quiver mutations, which relate distinct quivers valid in different patches. Analyzing the consistency conditions imposed on the spectrum by these dualities results in a powerful and novel mutation method for determining the BPS states. We apply our method to determine the BPS spectrum in a wide class of examples, including the strong coupling spectrum of super-Yang-Mills with an ADE gauge group and fundamental matter, and trinion theories defined by M5-branes on spheres with three punctures.

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