Search arXivSearch

arXiv · 2208.05312

On symmetric simplicial (super)string backgrounds, (super-)WZW defect fusion and the Chern-Simons theory

Abstract

The super-$σ$-model of dynamics of the super-charged loop in an ambient supermanifold in the presence of worldsheet defects of arbitrary topology is formalised within Gawȩdzki's higher-cohomological approach, drawing inspiration from the precursor arXiv:0808.1419 [hep-th]. A distinguished class of the corresponding backgrounds (supertargets with additional bicategorial supergeometric data), organised into simplicial hierarchies, is considered. To these, configurational (super)symmetry of the bulk field theory is lifted coherently, whereby the notion of a maximally (super)symmetric background, and in particular that of a simplicial Lie background, arises as the target structure requisite for the definition of the super-$σ$-model with defects fully transmissive to the currents of the bulk (super)symmetry. The formal concepts are illustrated in two settings of physical relevance: that of the WZW $σ$-model of the bosonic string in a compact simple 1-connected Lie group and that of the GS super-$σ$-model of the superstring in the Minkowski super-space. In the former setting, the structure of the background is fixed through a combination of simplicial, symmetry(-reducibility) and cohomological arguments, and a novel link between fusion of the maximally symmetric WZW defects of Fuchs et al. and the 3$d$ CS theory with timelike Wilson lines with fixed holonomy is established. Moreover, a purely geometric interpretation of the Verlinde fusion rules is proposed. In the latter setting, a multiplicative structure compatible with supersymmetry is shown to exist on the GS super-1-gerbe of arXiv:1706.05682 [hep-th], and subsequently used in a novel construction of a class of maximally (rigidly) supersymmetric bi-branes whose elementary fusion is also studied.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Rafał R. Suszek. 2022-08-10. On symmetric simplicial (super)string backgrounds, (super-)WZW defect fusion and the Chern-Simons theory. https://arxiv.org/abs/2208.05312

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Six Easy Pieces: interplays among dualities in 4d, 3d and 2d

In this paper we consider 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ gauge theories with $N+1$ fundamentals, five antifundamentals and a conjugate two index antisymmetric tensor. The model has been shown to be in a mixed phase in the IR, splitting in an interacting non-Abelian Coulomb phase and a free magnetic phase. Through tensor deconfinement, we show that baryonic deformations lead to a non-Abelian free magnetic phase. Along the analysis we obtain a duality with symplectic SQCD that can be further reduced to 3d and 2d. In the 3d case the analysis of the three sphere partition function allows one to obtain dualities between $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ with a two index symmetric tensor and $\mathrm{SO}(N)$ theories. On the other hand, in 2d we recover dualities already known in the literature and propose new ones between special unitary and symplectic gauge theories.

hep-th

Flat holography for spinor fields

We extend the hyperbolic Milne-slicing construction of flat holography in four-dimensional Minkowski spacetime from scalar fields to massless spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ fields. We solve the massive mode equation and restrict the boundary source-response analysis to the massless sector. Decomposition into harmonics on three-dimensional hyperbolic space, labeled by a continuous principal-series parameter, yields a separated-point nonlocal kernel up to the action normalization and local contact terms. The kernel has the universal form required by two-dimensional conformal covariance for spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ principal-series primaries. Then we construct regular source-normalized conformal-primary wavefunctions in planar and global coordinates on the celestial sphere $S^2$. We show that the planar source-response kernel is naturally identified with the spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ shadow transform, while inverse shadowing recovers the angular delta-function structure of the unshadowed basis. We also analyze radial renormalization by analytic continuation from the principal-series problem to a real-mass AdS$_3$ problem.

hep-th

Off-shell recursion for all-loop planar integrands in Yang-Mills theory

In this paper, we develop in detail the off-shell recursion for planar loop integrands in Yang-Mills theory. Starting from the classical equations of motion solved with the perturbiner method, we derive an exact transfer-matrix representation of the pure-gluon sector. We then include the ghost contributions to the loop kernels based on \cite{Tao:2025fch}. Finally, as an example, we work out the two-loop recursion in detail and conclude a general recursion strategy for two-loop planar integrands whose external legs are gluons.

hep-th