Related papers: Surface Defect, Anomalies and $b$-Extremization
We study symmetry-breaking line defects in the Wilson-Fisher theory with $O(2N+1)$ global symmetry near four dimensions and symmetry-preserving surface defects in a cubic model with $O(2N)$ global symmetry near six dimensions. We introduce…
In accordance with recent progress of fracton topological phases, unusual topological phases of matter hosting fractionalized quasiparticle excitations with mobility constraints, new type of symmetry is studied -- multipole symmetry,…
I describe a project to open a new territory of quantum field theory where the fields live not on a space-time manifold but on certain complete metric spaces of (n-1)-dimensional objects (defects) in a 2n-dimensional space-time M. These…
We describe a systematic way of computing the 't Hooft anomalies for continuous symmetries of Quantum Field Theories in even dimensions that can be geometrically engineered from M5-branes. Our approach is based on anomaly inflow, and…
For QFTs in AdS the boundary correlation functions remain conformal even if the bulk theory has a scale. This allows one to constrain RG flows with numerical conformal bootstrap methods. We apply this idea to flows between two-dimensional…
Defects in conformal field theories (CFTs) play a key role in critical phenomena by modifying scaling behaviors and generating new universality classes. We introduce Parisi-Sourlas (PS) supersymmetry in the presence of extended operators…
We analyze the global symmetries and anomalies of 4d $\mathcal{N} = 1$ field theories that arise from a stack of $N$ M5-branes probing a class of flux backgrounds. These backgrounds consist of a resolved $\mathbb{C}^2 / \mathbb{Z}_k$…
We propose when and why symmetry enhancements happen in massless renormalization group (RG) flows to two-dimensional rational conformal field theories (RCFTs). We test our proposal against known RG flows from unitary minimal models. We also…
We consider the 6d (1,0) SCFT on a stack of $N$ M5-branes probing a $\mathbb C^2/\mathbb Z_2$ singularity. In particular, we study its compactifications to four dimensions on a smooth genus-$g$ Riemann surface with non-trivial flavor flux,…
We initiate a systematic study of four dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2$ superconformal field theories (SCFTs) based on the analysis of their Coulomb branch geometries. Because these SCFTs are not uniquely characterized by their scale-invariant…
We consider RG flows obtained by a relevant deformation from unitary and compact two-dimensional (0,2) SCFTs. We point out that an N=2 super-Kac-Moody algebra present in the UV is preserved by the flow and does not mix with the R-current.…
Motivated by the power of subregion/subregion duality for constraining the bulk geometry in gauge/gravity duality, we pursue a comprehensive and systematic approach to the behavior of extremal surfaces under perturbations. Specifically, we…
A supersymmetry anomaly is found in the presence of non-perturbative fields. When the action is expressed in terms of the correct quantum variables, anomalous surface terms appear in its supersymmetric variation - one per each collective…
We study mass deformations of certain three dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ Superconformal Field Theories (SCFTs) that have come to be called $T^\rho[G]$ theories. These are associated to tame defects of the six dimensional $(0,2)$ SCFT…
We describe new non-supersymmetric conformal field theories in three and four dimensions, using the CFT/AdS correspondence. In order to believe in their existence at large N_c and strong 't Hooft coupling, we explicitly check the stability…
The renormalization group flow in two-dimensional field theories that are coupled to gravity has unusual features: First, the flow equations are second order in derivatives. Second, in the presence of handles the flow has quantum mechanical…
The standard way to do computations in Quantum Field Theory (QFT) often results in the requirement of dramatic cancellations between contributions induced by a "heavy" sector into the physical observables of the "light" (or low energy)…
For a generic conformal field theory (CFT) in four dimensions, the scale anomaly dictates that the universal part of entanglement entropy across a sphere ($\mathcal{C}_{\text{univ}}(S^{2})$) is positive. Based on this fact, we explore the…
Accurate ab initio modelling of surfaces and interfaces, especially under an applied external potential bias, is important for describing and characterizing various phenomena that occur in electronic, catalytic, and energy storage devices.…
Conformal symmetry always played an important role in field theory (both quantum and classical) and in gravity. We present construction of quantum conformal gravity and discuss its features regarding scattering amplitudes and quantum…