Related papers: A missing link: Brane networks and the Cobordism C…
A careful treatment of closed string BRST cohomology shows that there are more discrete states and associated symmetries in $D=2$ string theory than has been recognized hitherto. The full structure, at the $SU(2)$ radius, has a natural…
We propose that generalized symmetries in some string-constructed QFTs are given by K-theory. We thus have \textit{even-form} and \textit{odd-form} symmetries determined by $K_N(\partial X)$, the twisted K-theory as D-brane charges on the…
A popular way to study N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories is to realize them geometrically in string theory, as suspended brane constructions, D-branes wrapping cycles in Calabi-Yau manifolds, orbifolds, and otherwise. Among the applications…
Gravitational properties of a hedge-hog type topological defect in two extra dimensions are considered in General Relativity employing a vector as the order parameter. The developed macroscopic theory of phase transitions with spontaneous…
This dissertation presents a study of dualities and generalized global symmetries in quantum field theories (QFTs) from the string theory perspective. Chapter 2 is based on the work arXiv:2110.03696 with Sebasti\'{a}n Franco, Alessandro…
Non-trivial K-theory groups and non-trivial cobordism groups can lead to global symmetries which are conjectured to be absent in quantum gravity. Inspired by open-closed string duality, we propose a correspondence between the two groups,…
When $n$ M5 branes coincide on an A type singularity, $\mathbb{C}^2/\mathbb{Z}_k$, there is a multitude of tensionless strings which arise in the spectrum. The low energy theory when all M5 branes are separated at the singularity is given…
An intriguing class of 6d supersymmetric theories are known as little strings theories, which exhibit a rich network of T-dualities. A robust feature of these theories are their Higgs branches. Focusing on the little string theories that…
It is shown that supersymmetry is spontaneously broken in certain three-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories, by using the s-rule in their string theory realization as brane configurations. In particular, supersymmetry is broken in N=3…
We study how non-invertible self-duality defects arise in theories with a holographic dual. We focus on the paradigmatic example of $\mathfrak{su}(N)$ $\mathcal{N} = 4$ SYM. The theory is known to have non-invertible duality and triality…
Higher-group symmetries are combinations of higher-form symmetries which appear in various field theories. In this paper, we explain how higher-group symmetries arise in 10d and 11d supergravities when the latter are coupled to brane…
We construct two dimensional gauge theories with $N= (4,4)$ supersymmetry from branes of type IIA string theory. Quantum effects in the two dimensional gauge theory are analyzed by embedding the IIA brane construction into M-theory. We find…
String theory contains various extended objects. Among those, objects of codimension two (such as the D7-brane) are particularly interesting. Codimension two objects carry non-Abelian charges which are elements of a discrete U-duality group…
In particle physics model building discrete symmetries are often invoked to forbid unwanted or dangerous couplings. A classical example is the R-parity of the MSSM, which guarantees the absence of dimension four baryon- and lepton-number…
We explore the notion of approximate global symmetries in quantum field theory and quantum gravity. We show that a variety of conjectures about quantum gravity, including the weak gravity conjecture, the distance conjecture, and the…
Are duality transformations symmetries of string theory? For AdS space-time the answer is no for generic asymptotic values of the moduli, since the duality symmetry is broken explicitly in the dual conformal field theory. In contrast, in…
It is widely believed that consistent theories of quantum gravity satisfy two basic kinematic constraints: they are free from any global symmetry, and they contain a complete spectrum of gauge charges. For compact, abelian gauge groups,…
Cobordism offers a unique perspective into the non-perturbative sector of string theory by demanding the absence of higher form global symmetries for quantum gravitational consistency. In this work we compute the spin cobordism groups of…
A new class of warped Anti-de Sitter solutions is found, arising as the near-horizon region of various semi-localized brane intersections. The dual gauge theories of AdS in warped spacetimes have reduced supersymmetry, which is pertinent to…
The aim of this talk is to explain how symmetry breaking in a quantum field theory problem leads to a study of projective bundles, Dixmier-Douady classes, and associated gerbes. A gerbe manifests itself in different equivalent ways. Besides…