arXiv subjects

Urs Schreiber

Publications and source records attributed to Urs Schreiber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

FQH Liquids with Flux-Expulsion Islands allow Nonabelian Anyons

The idea that topologically protected quantum states, such as anyons, may be attached to super/semiconductor heterostructures has received enormous attention, but experimental signatures in 1D systems remain elusive. Here we revisit theoretical underpinnings of anyons in 2D fractional quantum Hall (FQH) systems, whose signatures have been experimentally observed by independent groups. Invoking novel theorems about the Hopfion or $\mathbb{C}P^1$-model understood as flux quantization in 2-Cohomotopy, which retrodicts abelian FQH anyon properties in fine detail. Examining this theoretical model further, we find that islands of expelled (surplus) flux enlarge the ground-state monodromy from an abelian group to a (framed spherical) braid group, nonabelian for two or more islands, so that nonabelian anyonic states become topologically admissible; superconducting islands are one candidate realization of such flux expulsion.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Higher Gauge Theory via Differential Nonabelian Cohomology

This is a streamlined introduction to the global (infrared) completion of Maxwell-type higher gauge fields (as in the higher gauge sectors of higher dimensional supergravity and its brane probes) by electromagnetic flux quantization in differential nonabelian cohomology, using cohesive homotopy theory. Applications include D/NS brane charge in (unstable) K-theory, M-brane charge in unstable Cohomotopy and geometric engineering of topological quantum order on probe M5-branes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Higher Superspace Supergravity and its IR-Completions

It is an old idea that higher-dimensional super-gravity (SuGra) is put on-shell just by imposing Bianchi identities on super-field strengths over super-spacetimes subject to super-torsion constraints. We give a modernized, rigorous account and review recent developments, pointing out how this perspective lends itself to the construction of infrared completions of SuGra by electromagnetic flux quantization in differential nonabelian cohomology theories $\mathcal{A}_{\mathrm{dff}}$ lifting the coefficient $L_\infty$-algebra $\mathfrak{l}\mathcal{A}$ of the super-Bianchi identities. After surveying necessary background, we highlight: (1.) our recent proof that solutions of 11D SuGra are equivalent to the $\mathfrak{l}S^4$-Bianchi identities on super $C$-field flux over super-torsion-free 11D super-spacetimes, (2.) how from this the nonlinearly self-dual gauge sector on 6D M5-brane worldvolumes is equivalent to the $\mathfrak{l}_{S^4}S^7$-Bianchi identity on super $B$-field flux, (3.) and the recent complete discussion of superspace dimensional reduction of this situation to 10D IIA SuGra via $\mathfrak{l}\mathrm{Cyc}(S^4)$-Bianchi identities on super NS/RR-flux, together with its extension to further reduction to 9 SuGra via $\mathfrak{l}\mathrm{Tor}(S^4)$-Bianchis on the corresponding super-fluxes. We close by indicating how this implies consistent infrared completions of 11D SuGra by $C$-field flux quantization in 4-Cohomotopy, of 10D IIA SuGra by NS/RR-field flux-quantization in a form of twisted unstable K-theory, and of M5-brane worldvolumes by $B$-field flux-quantization in twisted (twistorial) relative Cohomotopy. The latter admits geometric engineering of experimentally relevant topological quantum orders.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Flux Quantization on M-Strings

The electric Gauss law in 11D SuGra is famously non-linear, whence its flux quantization must be in nonabelian cohomology. We have previously shown that the minimal admissible choice is 4-Cohomotopy, which in the presence of magnetized M5-probes takes its relative twistorial form. Here we discuss how this situation is further refined in the presence of M-string probes on the M5-worldvolume. Based on the superspace formulation of 11D SuGra, we find the nested Bianchi identities by iterating the superembedding construction for super p-branes. The resulting probe brane hierarchy (M1 on magnetized M5 in 11D bulk) turns out to admit flux quantization in a doubly-relative form of twisted Cohomotopy, classified by the factorization of the quaternionic Hopf fibration through the twistor fibration. The further equivariant refinement of this cohomology theory reduces on A-type singularities to a form of relative 2-Cohomotopy which geometrically engineers Chern-insulator phases on $\mathrm{M5}\cap \mathrm{A}_n$, with the M-string playing the role of gapped nodal lines.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Flux Quantization of Type IIA in Unstable K-Theory

The traditional conjecture that RR-flux is quantized in stable K-cohomology fails to account for the presence of NS-brane sources: These impose nonlinear relations -- reductions of the famous quadratic relation on M-brane flux -- that can only be captured by unstable nonabelian cohomology theories. Here we consider a deformation of unstable K-theory which properly quantizes the fluxes coupling to D0/D2/NS5-branes, find a twisted version that quantizes also the fluxes coupling to NS1/D4-branes, and show that this oxidizes to a proper electromagnetic quantization of M-brane fluxes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Bulk-Edge Correspondence via Higher Gauge Theory

More profound than bulk topological order of quantum materials is only its unwinding via gapless excitations along boundaries of the sample. We recast this bulk-edge correspondence -- for the experimentally relevant case of fractional quantum Hall (FQH) systems -- in terms of effective relative higher gauge theory, controlled by choices of classifying fibrations. For FQH systems, we identify the complex Hopf fibration as classifying the bulk/boundary topological effects, and find that it yields a non-Lagrangian reconstruction of Floreanini-Jackiw/Wess-Zumino-Witten chiral edge currents. Remarkably, the resulting effective FQH higher gauge theory turns out to be "geometrically engineered" on M2/M5-branes probing A-type orbi-singularities in 11D supergravity, globally completed by flux-quantization in twisted equivariant differential (TED) Cohomotopy: Here the M-string ends of M2-branes on M5-branes engineer the FQH liquid's boundary. This geometric engineering on M-branes might naturally elucidate the curious combination of $W_\infty$-symmetry and of super-symmetry that is known to govern the collective excitations of FQH liquids at long wavelengths.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Engineering of Anyons on M5-Probes via Flux Quantization

These extended lecture notes survey a novel derivation of anyonic topological order (as seen in fractional quantum Hall systems) on single magnetized M5-branes probing Seifert orbi-singularities ("geometric engineering" of anyons), which we motivate from fundamental open problems in the field of quantum computing. The rigorous construction is non-Lagrangian and non-perturbative, based on previously neglected global completion of the M5-brane's tensor field by flux-quantization consistent with its non-linear self-duality and its twisting by the bulk C-field. This exists only in little-studied non-abelian generalized cohomology theories, notably in a twisted equivariant (and "twistorial") form of unstable Cohomotopy ("Hypothesis H"). As a result, topological quantum observables form Pontrjagin homology algebras of mapping spaces from the orbi-fixed worldvolume into a classifying 2-sphere. Remarkably, results from algebraic topology imply from this the quantum observables and modular functor of abelian Chern-Simons theory, as well as braid group actions on defect anyons of the kind envisioned as hardware for topologically protected quantum gates.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Complete Topological Quantization of Higher Gauge Fields

After global completion of higher gauge fields (as appearing in higher-dimensional supergravity) by proper flux quantization in extraordinary nonabelian cohomology, the (non-perturbative, renormalized) topological quantum observables and quantum states of solitonic field histories are completely determined through a topological form of light-front quantization. We survey the logic of this construction and expand on aspects of the quantization argument. In the instructive example of 5D Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory (the gauge sector of 5D SuGra) dimensionally reduced to 3D, a suitable choice of flux quantization in Cohomotopy ("Hypothesis h") recovers this way the fine detail of the traditionally renormalized (Wilson loop) quantum observables of abelian Chern-Simons theory and makes novel predictions about anyons in fractional quantum (anomalous) Hall systems. An analogous choice ("Hypothesis H") of global completion of 11D higher Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory (the higher gauge sector of 11D SuGra) realizes various aspects of the topological sector of the conjectural "M-theory" and its M5-branes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

A Global Model Structure for $\mathbb{K}$-Linear $\infty$-Local Systems

Parameterized stable homotopy theory organizes local systems of spectra over homotopy types, governed by a "yoga" of six functors. To provide semantics for the recently developed Linear Homotopy Type Theory (LHoTT), good model categories of these spectra are required, preferably monoidal with respect to the external smash product. We focus on the case of parameterized $H\mathbb{K}$-module spectra ($\infty$-local systems), motivated by recent applications of parameterized homotopy to topological quantum computing. While traditionally treated via dg-categories, we leverage combinatorial model structures on simplicial chain complexes to construct the first dedicated global model structure for $\mathbb{K}$-linear $\infty$-local systems, which offers better control than existing models for general parameterized spectra. In particular, when restricted to base 1-types, our model structure is monoidal with respect to the external tensor product, making it a candidate target semantics for the multiplicative fragment of LHoTT.

math.AT↗

arXiv2026

Entanglement of Sections: The pushout of entangled and parameterized quantum information

A question raised by Freedman & Hastings (2023) still stands: To produce a mathematical theory that would unify quantum entanglement/tensor-structure with parameterized/bundle-structure via their amalgamation (a hypothetical pushout) along bare quantum (information) theory -- a question motivated by the role that vector bundles of spaces of quantum states play in the K-theoretic classification of topological phases of matter. Here we produce a possible answer to this question. To that end, first we make precise a form of the relevant pushout diagram in monoidal category theory. With the question thus formalized, we proceed to compute this pushout and prove that it gives what is known as the external tensor product on vector bundles/K-classes, or rather on flat such bundles (flat K-theory), i.e., those equipped with monodromy encoding topological Berry phases. The external tensor product was recently highlighted in the context of topological phases of matter and through our work in quantum programming theory but has not otherwise found due attention in quantum theory yet.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Non-Perturbative SDiff Covariance of Fractional Quantum Hall Excitations

Collective excitations of Fractional Quantum Hall (FQH) liquids at long wavelengths are thought to be of a generally covariant geometric nature, governed by area-preserving diffeomorphisms ($\mathrm{SDiff}$). But current analyses rely solely on the corresponding perturbative $w_\infty$ Lie algebra. We argue this is insufficient: We identify a non-perturbative construction of the effective Maxwell-Chern-Simons quantum field theory which carries unitary $\mathrm{SDiff}$ equivariance. But this turns out to be non-differentiable, suggesting underappreciated subtleties when the usual Hilbert space truncation is removed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Drinfeld Center as Quantum State Monodromy over Bloch Hamiltonians around Defects

The Drinfeld center fusion category $\mathcal{Z}(\mathrm{Vec}_G)$ famously models anyons in certain lattice models. Here we demonstrate how its fusion rules may also describe topological order in fractional topological insulator materials, in the vicinity of point defects in the Brillouin zone. Concretely, we prove that $\mathcal{Z}(\mathrm{Vec}_G)$ reflects, locally over a punctured disk in the Brillouin zone, the monodromy (topological order) of gapped quantum states over the parameter space of Bloch Hamiltonians whose classifying space has fundamental group $G$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Synthetic Differential Jet Bundles are Reduced

We have previously observed that the theory of solutions of partial differential equations, regarded as diffieties inside jet bundles, acquires a powerful comonadic formulation after passage from the category of Fréchet smooth manifolds to the Cahiers topos of formal smooth sets (a well-adapted model for Synthetic Differential Geometry). However, the tacit assumption that this passage preserves the projective limits that define infinite jet bundles had remained unproven. Here we provide a detailed proof.

math.DG↗

arXiv2026

Higher-Dimensional Anyons via Higher Cohomotopy

We highlight that integer Heisenberg groups at level 2 underlie topological quantum phenomena: their group algebras coincide with the algebras of quantum observables of abelian anyons in fractional quantum Hall (FQH) systems on closed surfaces. Decades ago, these groups were shown to arise as the fundamental groups of the space of maps from the surface to the 2-sphere -- which has recently been understood as reflecting an effective FQH flux quantization in 2-Cohomotopy. Here we streamline and generalize this theorem using the homotopy theory of H-groups, showing that for $k \in \{1,2,4\}$, the non-torsion part of $π_1 \mathrm{Map}\big({(S^{2k-1})^2, S^{2k}}\big)$ is an integer Heisenberg group of level 2, where we identify this level with 2 divided by the Hopf invariant of the generator of $π_{4k-1}(S^{2k})$. This result implies the existence of higher-dimensional analogs of FQH anyons in the cohomotopical completion of 11D supergravity ("Hypothesis H").

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Fragile Topological Phases and Topological Order of 2D Crystalline Chern Insulators

We apply methods of equivariant homotopy theory, which may not previously have found due attention in condensed matter physics, to classify first the fragile/unstable topological phases of 2D crystalline Chern insulator materials, and second the possible topological order of their fractional cousins. We highlight that the phases are given by the equivariant 2-Cohomotopy of the Brillouin torus of crystal momenta (with respect to wallpaper point group actions) -- which, despite the attention devoted to crystalline Chern insulators, seems not to have been considered before. Arguing then that any topological order must be reflected in the adiabatic monodromy of gapped quantum ground states over the covariantized space of these band topologies, we compute the latter in examples where this group is non-abelian, showing that any potential FQAH anyons must be localized in momentum space. We close with an outlook on the relevance for the search for topological quantum computing hardware. Mathematical details are spelled out in a supplement.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Orientations of Orbi-K-Theory measuring Topological Phases and Brane Charges

Topological Chern phases of quantum materials, as well as brane charges on M-theory orbifolds, have famously been argued to be classified by (orbi) topological K-theory, or possibly by other stable and, notably, complex-oriented cohomology theories, such as elliptic cohomology or Morava K-theory. However, closer inspection reveals that the most fine-grained "fragile" microscopic classification in both cases is in (orbi) Cohomotopy, which is the primordial "unstable" or nonabelian generalized cohomology. Coarsening takes the latter (fragile) to the former (stable) cohomology along an nonabelian cohomology operations. But what then is the role of complex orientation on the stable side? We observe here (i) that over gapped nodal lines in the 2D Brillouin torus and on probe M5-branes in 11D spacetime, the cohomotopical phases/charges lift through the complex/quaternionic Hopf fibration, and (ii) that measuring this fragile situation in stable cohomology means equivalently to ask for universal complex/quaternionic orientation on stable cohomology in four/ten dimensions! Then we give an explicit realization of such unstable four/ten-dimensional complex/quaternionic orientation in U(2)/Sp(2)-equivariant K-theory, using real division-algebraic tools within a new model of twisted orbifold K-theory in cohesive homotopy theory; and we explain this as an extraordinary character map from orbi Cohomotopy-twisted Cohomotopy to relative orbi K-theory. Finally, we discuss an application to the classification of 2-band crystalline topological insulator phases sensitive to the topology in the gapping process of their nodal line semimetal parent phase, and to the measurement of M-string charges inside M5-brane probes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Renormalization of Chern-Simons Wilson Loops via Flux Quantization in Cohomotopy

In the practice of physics model building, the process of renormalization, resummation, and anomaly cancellation is to incrementally repair initially ill-defined Lagrangian quantum field theories. Impressive as this is, one would rather have concisely defined complete theories to begin with, and understand these choices as emergent from fundamental principles. As an instructive example, we recall renormalization choices for Wilson loop observables in abelian Chern-Simons theory. Then we show that these emerge in a novel non-Lagrangian topological completion of 5D Maxwell-Chern-Simons QFT, by means of proper flux quantization in 2-Cohomotopy. This result is a modest cousin, with applications to topologically ordered quantum materials, of the more ambitious flux quantization of 11D supergravity in 4-Cohomotopy ("Hypothesis H").

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

The Character Map in Twisted Equivariant Nonabelian Cohomology

The fundamental notion of non-abelian generalized cohomology gained recognition in algebraic topology as the non-abelian Poincaré-dual to "factorization homology", and in theoretical physics as providing flux-quantization for non-linear Gauss laws. However, already the archetypical example -- unstable Cohomotopy, first studied almost a century ago by Pontrjagin -- has remained underappreciated as a cohomology theory and has only recently received attention as a flux-quantizaton law ("Hypothesis H"). Here we lay out a general construction of the analogue of the Chern character map on twisted equivariant non-abelian cohomology theories (with equivariantly simply-connected classifying spaces) and illustrate the construction by spelling out a twisted equivariant form of Cohomotopy as an archetypical and intriguing running example, essentially by computing its equivariant Sullivan model. We close with an outlook on the application of this result to the rigorous deduction of anyonic quantum states on M5-branes wrapped over Seifert 3-orbifolds.

hep-th↗