During 2024–25, the CMSA will host a seminar on Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics, organized by Ahsan Khan, Robert Moscrop, and Sunghyuk Park.
This seminar series, a successor to the Quantum Matter Seminar, focuses on all aspects of quantum field theory and its associated mathematics.
The seminar will take place on Mondays from 3:00–4:00 pm To learn how to attend this seminar, please fill out this form.
The schedule will be updated as talks are confirmed.
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Victor Kac (MIT) Title: Representations of minimal W-algebras: unitarity and modular invariance Abstract: The minimal W-algebras, obtained by quantum Hamiltonian reduction from affina vertex algebras, form the most interesting class of vertex algebras, which includes all superconformal algebras: Virasoro, Neveu-Scharz, N=2, 3, 4, and big N=4. I will […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Shani Nadir Meynet (Uppsala) Title: Emergent Non-Invertible Symmetries — The Adjoint QCD Example Abstract: After reviewing some general properties of generalized symmetries and the renormalization group (RG) flow for quantum field theories (QFT), I'll describe how the recently discovered non-invertible symmetries can be used to study theories […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Yi-Hsien Du (MIT) Title: Nonlinear Bosonization of (Non-)Fermi Liquids Abstract: Fermi liquid theory is a cornerstone of condensed matter physics. I will show how to formulate Fermi liquid theory as an effective field theory. In this approach, the space of low-energy states of a Fermi liquid is identified with a […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Vivek Saxena (YITP Stony Brook and NHETC Rutgers) Title: A homotopy of 2d SCFTs and an implication for Topological Modular Forms Abstract: The Segal-Stolz-Teichner conjecture states that there exists an isomorphism between deformation classes of two-dimensional N=(0,1) superconformal field theories (SCFTs) and generalized cohomology classes known as […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Juven Wang (LIMS, Royal Institution) Title: Topological to Gravitational Leptogenesis, via Ultra Unification Abstract: We propose a new mechanism for leptogenesis, named Topological Leptogenesis, in which dark matter consists of topological order, so gapped anyon excitations decay to generate the Standard Model lepton asymmetry. Topological Leptogenesis is in […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Mario De Marco (UL Brussels) Title: On 5d conformal matter Abstract: SCFTs with 8 supercharges lie at the sweet spot of the classification program of susy scale-invariant theories: with this amount of susy, the classification is in principle achievable, despite being non-trivial. In this talk, I will present […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Liyuan Chen ( Harvard) Title: Toward constructing a large-scale quantum computer based on TQFT Abstract: Topological quantum computation, motivated by topological quantum field theory (TQFT), offers a promising path toward fault-tolerant universal quantum computation. However, the practical realization of such a system remains challenging due to the […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Kai Xu, Harvard Title: Finite Landscape of 6d N=(1,0) Supergravity Abstract: We present a bottom-up argument showing that the number of massless fields in six-dimensional quantum gravitational theories with eight supercharges is uniformly bounded. Specifically, we show that the number of tensor multiplets is bounded by T≤193, and the […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Sarah Harrison, Northeastern Title: Comments on Non-Invertible Symmetries in K3 CFTs and the Conway Moonshine Module Abstract: There is an established connection between discrete symmetry groups of K3 non-linear sigma models and a distinguished N=1 chiral SCFT called the Conway moonshine module. More specifically, all symmetry groups […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Ka Ho Wong (Yale) Title: The Andersen-Kashaev volume conjecture for FAMED geometric triangulations Abstract: In the early 2010s, Andersen and Kashaev defined a TQFT based on quantum Teichmuller theory. In particular, they define a partition function for every ordered ideal triangulation of hyperbolic knot complement in $\mathbb{S}^3$ […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Cameron Krulewski, MIT Title: Homotopical Methods for Free and Interacting Fermionic SPTs Abstract: We develop and compute homotopical "free-to-interacting maps" to compare classifications of fermionic symmetry-protected topological phases (SPTs), determining when such phases are stable under interactions or, alternatively, interaction-enabled. Generalizing work of Freed-Hopkins, we construct maps […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Matthew Yu (Oxford) Title: A new tangential structure for type IIA string theory Abstract: The Green-Schwarz anomaly cancellation condition says that the target space of heterotic string theory must come with a string structure for the theory to be consistent. In this talk we discuss a new tangential […]
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