Quantum Matter Seminar Speaker: Carolyn Zhang (U Chicago) Title: Anomalies of (1+1)D categorical symmetries Abstract: We present a general approach for detecting when a fusion category symmetry is anomalous, based on the existence of a special kind of Lagrangian algebra of the corresponding Drinfeld center. The Drinfeld center of a fusion category $A$ describes a […]
Quantum Matter Seminar Speakers: Gerald Höhn (Kansas State University) & Sven Möller (University of Hamburg) Title: Classification of Self-Dual Vertex Operator Superalgebras of Central Charge at Most 24 Abstract: We discuss the classfication of self-dual vertex operator superalgebras (SVOAs) of central charge 24, or in physics parlance the purely chiral 2-dimensional fermionic conformal field theories […]
Quantum Matter Seminar Speaker: Brandon C. Rayhaun (C. N. Yang ITP, Stony Brook University) Title: Small Bosonic CFTs, Chiral Fermionization, and Symmetry/Subalgebra Duality Abstract: Conformal field theories in (1+1)D are key actors in many dramas of physics and mathematics. Their classification has therefore been an important and long-standing problem. In this talk, I will explain […]
Quantum Matter Seminar Title: Chiral fermionic CFTs of central charge ≤ 16 Abstract: We classified all chiral fermionic CFTs of central charge ≤ 16 using Kac's theorem and bosonization/fermionization. This talk will discuss the derivation of this result, its application to the classification of non-supersymmetric heterotic string theories, and along the way we'll address some […]
Quantum Matter Seminar Speaker: Marieke Van Beest (SCGP) Title: Monopoles, Scattering, and Generalized Symmetries Abstract: In this talk, we will discuss the problem of electrically charged, massless fermions scattering off magnetic monopoles. The interpretation of the outgoing states has long been a puzzle, as they can carry fractional quantum numbers. We argue that such outgoing […]
Quantum Matter Seminar Speaker: John Baez (University of California, Riverside) Title: Two of my favorite numbers: 8 and 24 Abstract: The numbers 8 and 24 play special roles in mathematics. The number 8 is special because of Bott periodicity, the octonions and the E8 lattice, while 24 is special for many reasons, including the binary […]
Quantum Matter Seminar Speaker: Xiao-Gang Wen (MIT) Title: A 6-year journey: from gravitational anomaly to a unified theory of generalized symmetry Abstract: Emergent symmetry can be generalized symmetry beyond (higher) group description and/or can be anomalous. I will describe a unified theory for generalized symmetry based on symmetry/topological-order correspondence. I will also discuss some applications […]
Quantum Matter Seminar Speaker: Clay Córdova (U Chicago) Title: Anomalies of Non-Invertible Symmetries
Quantum Matter Seminar Speaker: Margarita Davydova (MIT) Title: Floquet codes, automorphisms, and quantum computation Abstract: In this talk, I will introduce a new kind of measurement-based quantum computation inspired by Floquet codes. In this model, the quantum logical gates are implemented by short sequences of low-weight measurements which simultaneously encode logical information and enable error correction. […]
Quantum Matter Seminar Speaker: Cenke Xu (UCSB) Title: Quantum field theory approach to quantum information Abstract: We apply the formalism of quantum field theory and Euclidean space-time path integral to investigate a class of quantum information problems. In particular, we investigate quantum many-body systems under weak-measurement and decoherence. The Euclidean space-time path integral allows us […]
Quantum Matter Seminar Speaker: Seth Koren (Notre Dame) Title: Non-invertible symmetries, leptons, quarks, and why multiple generations Abstract: Generalized global symmetries are present in theories of particle physics, and understanding their structure can give insight into these theories and UV completions thereof. After discussing the generalized symmetries of the Standard Model, we will go Beyond and show […]
Quantum Matter Seminar Speaker: Cameron Krulewski (MIT) and Leon Liu (Harvard) Title: A Long Exact Sequence in Symmetry Breaking Abstract: We study defects in symmetry breaking phases, such as domain walls, vortices, and hedgehogs. In particular, we focus on the localized gapless excitations that sometimes occur at the cores of these objects. These are topologically protected by an ’t […]