Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Mitch Weaver, KAIST Title: The Extended Vertex Algebra of 4d N = 2 SCFTs and their Higher Products Abstract: Every 4d N=2 superconformal field theory contains a BPS protected sub-algebra of local operators that has the structure of a vertex operator algebra (VOA). This VOA is identified […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Nikita Sopenko, IAS Title: An index for 2d invertible phases of quantum many-body systems
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Davide Gaiotto (Perimeter Institute) Title: The categorical 't Hooft expansion Abstract: The 't Hooft expansion is the key structure underlying dualities between gauge theories of large matrices and string theories. I will review categorical aspects of the 't Hooft expansion, matching the formal deformation space of certain […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Kasia Budzik (Harvard University) Title: Finite N indices from branes and negative branes Abstract: Finite-N effects in large-N gauge theories, such as trace relations, are expected to be holographically dual to non-perturbative phenomena in string theory, such as Giant Graviton branes. A convenient setting to study these […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Tianqin Zhu, Columbia University Title: K-theoretic stable envelopes, quantum loop groups and wall-crossings Abstract: The stable envelope is an important tool in both geometric representation theory and the enumerative geometry. One of the most important application is that it generates the geometric quantum loop group via the FRT […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Seraphim Jarov, Perimeter Institute Title: Twistorial constructions of higher genus integrability Abstract: I will present a new method to engineer integrable models in 4d with higher genus spectral parameters. The method has a twistorial origin – by working on a branched covering of twistor space, I show […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Lorenzo Riva (Harvard CMSA) Title: Zigzags, adjoints, and bordisms Abstract: We will learn how to freely add adjoints to a category using a combinatorial procedure which involves drawing zigzags of squares. Peculiarly, we can use these to draw some bordisms. This is joint work with Martina Rovelli.
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Charles Young (University of Hertfordshire) Title: Higher current algebras and chiral algebras Abstract: Vertex algebras capture physicists' notion of OPEs in chiral CFTs, in complex dimension one. For various motivations, one would like to have analogs of vertex algebras in higher dimensions. Chiral algebras, in the sense of Beilinson-Drinfeld and Francis-Gaitsgory, provide a natural framework here, […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Surya Raghavendran, Yale University Title: Twisted D-branes and TQFTs valued in Calabi-Yau categories Abstract: Recently, Bozec–Calaque–Scherotzke have articulated a noncommutative version of the AKSZ construction, which associates to a smooth Calabi–Yau category a fully extended TQFT valued in a category of iterated Calabi–Yau cospans. In this talk, […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Matthew Yu (University of Oxford) Title: When do anomalous finite symmetries in (3+1)d enforce gaplessness? Abstract: I will explain a comprehensive framework for characterizing the infrared (IR) phases of a fermionic QFTs in (3+1)d, based on their quantum anomalies associated with a finite symmetry. We uncover a […]
Quantum Field Theory and Physical Mathematics Seminar Speaker: Owen Gwilliam, UMass Amherst Title: Abelian duality via derived geometry Abstract: We discuss how to synthesize differential cohomology and the BV formalism to describe generalized Maxwell theories (or abelian p-form gauge theories), and how this framework allows a succinct formulation of abelian duality. Given time, we will discuss how […]