English

SymTFT for Continuous Symmetries: Non-linear Realizations and Spontaneous Breaking

High Energy Physics - Theory 2025-09-15 v1

Abstract

It is well known that continuous symmetries of quantum fields can be realized non-linearly, e.g. in the context of sigma models, and can also be spontaneously broken on non-compact spacetimes. In this note we study how these effects are realized in the context of the topological symmetry theory for continuous symmetries. In particular, we explain cosets realizations and their higher pp-form symmetry versions from this perspective, as well as uplifts to higher groups and non-invertible symmetries. Moreover, using a setup with boundaries and corners, we explore spontaneous symmetry breaking scenarios for higher pp-form symmetries as well as non-Abelian 00-form symmetries.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2509.10343,
  title  = {SymTFT for Continuous Symmetries: Non-linear Realizations and Spontaneous Breaking},
  author = {Federico Bonetti and Michele Del Zotto and Ruben Minasian},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.10343},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

68 pages plus appendices