Speaker: Yifan Wang (NYU)

Title: Fusion Category Symmetries in Quantum Field Theory

Abstract: Topological defects provide a modern perspective on symmetries in quantum field theory. They generalize the familiar inverti

ble symmetries described by groups to non-invertible symmetries described by fusion categories. Such generalized symmetries are ubiquitous in quantum field theory and provide new constraints on renormalization group flows and the IR phase diagram. In this talk I’ll review some recent progress in identifying and understanding fusion category symmetries in 1+1d conformal field theories. Time permitting, I’ll also comment on higher dimensional generalizations.