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Zheyan Wan

Publications and source records attributed to Zheyan Wan.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

New Higher Anomalies, SU(N) Yang-Mills Gauge Theory and $\mathbb{CP}^{\mathrm{N}-1}$ Sigma Model

We hypothesize a new and more complete set of anomalies of certain quantum field theories (QFTs) and then give an eclectic verification. First, we propose a set of 't Hooft higher anomalies of 4d time-reversal symmetric pure SU(N)-Yang-Mills (YM) gauge theory with a second-Chern-class topological term at $θ=π$, via 5d cobordism invariants (higher symmetry-protected topological states), with N = $2, 3, 4$ and others. Second, we propose a set of 't Hooft anomalies of 2d $\mathbb{CP}^{\mathrm{N}-1}$-sigma models with a first-Chern-class topological term at $θ=π$, by enlisting all possible 3d cobordism invariants and selecting the matched terms. Based on algebraic/geometric topology, QFT analysis, manifold generator correspondence, condensed matter inputs such as stacking PSU(N)-generalized Haldane quantum spin chains, and additional physics criteria, we derive a correspondence between 5d and 3d new invariants. Thus we broadly prove a potentially complete anomaly-matching between 4d SU(N) YM and 2d $\mathbb{CP}^{\mathrm{N}-1}$ models at N = 2, and suggest new (but maybe incomplete) anomalies at N = 4. We formulate a higher-symmetry analog of "Lieb-Schultz-Mattis theorem" to constrain the low-energy dynamics.

hep-th↗

Higher Anomalies, Higher Symmetries, and Cobordisms I: Classification of Higher-Symmetry-Protected Topological States and Their Boundary Fermionic/Bosonic Anomalies via a Generalized Cobordism Theory

By developing a generalized cobordism theory, we explore the higher global symmetries and higher anomalies of quantum field theories and interacting fermionic/bosonic systems in condensed matter. Our essential math input is a generalization of Thom-Madsen-Tillmann spectra, Adams spectral sequence, and Freed-Hopkins's theorem, to incorporate higher-groups and higher classifying spaces. We provide many examples of bordism groups with a generic $H$-structure manifold with a higher-group $\mathbb{G}$, and their bordism invariants --- e.g. perturbative anomalies of chiral fermions [originated from Adler-Bell-Jackiw] or bosons with U(1) symmetry in any even spacetime dimensions; non-perturbative global anomalies such as Witten anomaly and the new SU(2) anomaly in 4d and 5d. Suitable $H$ such as SO/Spin/O/Pin$^\pm$ enables the study of quantum vacua of general bosonic or fermionic systems with time-reversal or reflection symmetry on (un)orientable spacetime. Higher 't Hooft anomalies of $d$d live on the boundary of $(d+1)$d higher-Symmetry-Protected Topological states (SPTs) or symmetric invertible topological orders (i.e., invertible topological quantum field theories at low energy); thus our cobordism theory also classifies and characterizes higher-SPTs. Examples of higher-SPT's anomalous boundary theories include strongly coupled non-Abelian Yang-Mills gauge theories and sigma models, complementary to physics obtained in [arXiv:1810.00844, 1812.11955, 1812.11968, 1904.00994].

hep-th↗

Adjoint QCD$_4$, Deconfined Critical Phenomena, Symmetry-Enriched Topological Quantum Field Theory, and Higher Symmetry-Extension

Recent work explores the candidate phases of the 4d adjoint quantum chromodynamics (QCD$_4$) with an SU(2) gauge group and two massless adjoint Weyl fermions. Both Cordova-Dumitrescu and Bi-Senthil propose possible low energy 4d topological quantum field theories (TQFTs) to saturate the higher 't Hooft anomalies of adjoint QCD$_4$ under a renormalization-group (RG) flow from high energy. In this work, we generalize the symmetry-extension method [arXiv:1705.06728] to higher symmetries, and formulate higher group cohomology and cobordism theory approach to construct higher-symmetric TQFTs. We prove that the symmetry-extension method saturates certain anomalies, but also prove that neither $A \mathcal{P}_2(B_2)$ nor $\mathcal{P}_2(B_2)$ can be fully trivialized, with the background 1-form field $A$, Pontryagin square $\mathcal{P}_2$ and 2-form field $B_2$. Surprisingly, this indicates an obstruction to constructing a fully 1-form center and 0-form chiral symmetry (full discrete axial symmetry) preserving 4d TQFT with confinement, a no-go scenario via symmetry-extension for specific higher anomalies. We comment on the implications and constraints on deconfined quantum critical points (dQCP), quantum spin liquids (QSL) or quantum fermionic liquids in condensed matter, and ultraviolet-infrared (UV-IR) duality in 3+1 spacetime dimensions.

hep-th↗

Fermionic Finite-Group Gauge Theories and Interacting Symmetric/Crystalline Orders via Cobordisms

We formulate a family of spin Topological Quantum Filed Theories (spin-TQFTs) as fermionic generalization of bosonic Dijkgraaf-Witten TQFTs. They are obtained by gauging $G$-equivariant invertible spin-TQFTs, or, in physics language, gauging the interacting fermionic Symmetry Protected Topological states (SPTs) with a finite group $G$ symmetry. We use the fact that the latter are classified by Pontryagin duals to spin-bordism groups of the classifying space $BG$. We also consider unoriented analogues, that is $G$-equivariant invertible pin$^\pm$-TQFTs (fermionic time-reversal-SPTs) and their gauging. We compute these groups for various examples of abelian $G$ using Adams spectral sequence and describe all corresponding TQFTs via certain bordism invariants in dimensions 3, 4, and other. This gives explicit formulas for the partition functions of spin-TQFTs on closed manifolds with possible extended operators inserted. The results also provide explicit classification of 't Hooft anomalies of fermionic QFTs with finite abelian group symmetries in one dimension lower. We construct new anomalous boundary deconfined spin-TQFTs (surface fermionic topological orders). We explore SPT and SET (symmetry enriched topologically ordered) states, and crystalline SPTs protected by space-group (e.g. translation $\mathbb{Z}$) or point-group (e.g. reflection, inversion or rotation $C_m$) symmetries, via the layer-stacking construction.

hep-th↗

Classification of spherical fusion categories of Frobenius-Schur exponent 2

In this paper, we propose a new approach towards the classification of spherical fusion categories by their Frobenius-Schur exponents. We classify spherical fusion categories of Frobenius-Schur exponent 2 up to monoidal equivalence. We also classify modular categories of Frobenius-Schur exponent 2 up to braided monoidal equivalence. It turns out that the Gauss sum is a complete invariant for modular categories of Frobenius-Schur exponent 2. This result can be viewed as a categorical analog of Arf's theorem on the classification of non-degenerate quadratic forms over fields of characteristic 2.

math.QA↗

Tunneling Topological Vacua via Extended Operators: (Spin-)TQFT Spectra and Boundary Deconfinement in Various Dimensions

Distinct quantum vacua of topologically ordered states can be tunneled into each other via extended operators. The possible applications include condensed matter and quantum cosmology. We present a straightforward approach to calculate the partition function on various manifolds and ground state degeneracy (GSD), mainly based on continuum/cochain Topological Quantum Field Theories (TQFT), in any dimension. This information can be related to the counting of extended operators of bosonic/fermionic TQFT. On the lattice scale, anyonic particles/strings live at the ends of line/surface operators. Certain systems in different dimensions are related to each other through dimensional reduction schemes, analogous to (de)categorification. Examples include spin TQFTs derived from gauging the interacting fermionic symmetry protected topological states (with fermion parity $\mathbb{Z}_2^f$) of symmetry group $\mathbb{Z}_4\times \mathbb{Z}_2$ and $(\mathbb{Z}_4)^2$ in 3+1D, also $\mathbb{Z}_2$ and $(\mathbb{Z}_2)^2$ in 2+1D. Gauging the last three cases begets non-Abelian spin TQFT/topological order. We consider situations where a TQFT lives on (1) a closed spacetime or (2) a spacetime with boundary, such that the bulk and boundary are fully-gapped and short or long-range entangled (SRE/LRE). Anyonic excitations can be deconfined on the boundary. We introduce new exotic topological interfaces on which neither particle nor string excitations alone condensed, but only fuzzy-composite objects of extended operators can end (e.g. a string-like composite object formed by a set of particles can end on a special 2+1D boundary of 3+1D bulk). We explore the relations between group extension constructions and partially breaking constructions (e.g. 0-form/higher-form/composite breaking) of topological boundaries, after gauging. We comment on the implications of entanglement entropy for some of such LRE systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

Explicit cocycle formulas on finite abelian groups with applications to braided linear Gr-categories and Dijkgraaf-Witten invariants

We provide explicit and unified formulas for the cocycles of all degrees on the normalized bar resolutions of finite abelian groups. This is achieved by constructing a chain map from the normalized bar resolution to a Koszul-like resolution for any given finite abelian group. With a help of the obtained cocycle formulas, we determine all the braided linear Gr-categories and compute the Dijkgraaf-Witten Invariants of the $n$-torus for all $n$.

math.AT↗