Constructs Symmetry TFTs for M-theory compactifications by reducing the topological sector of 11d supergravity on the boundary of X using differential cohomology, with applications to 7d SYM and 5d SCFTs confirmed via IIB 5-brane webs.
Dirac Charge Quantization and Generalized Differential Cohomology
5 Pith papers cite this work, alongside 22 external citations. Polarity classification is still indexing.
5
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abstract
The main new result here is the cancellation of global anomalies in the Type I superstring, with and without D-branes. Our argument here depends on a precise interpretation of the 2-form abelian gauge field using KO-theory; then the anomaly cancellation follows from a geometric form of the full Atiyah-Singer index theorem for families of Dirac operators. This is a refined version of the Green-Schwarz mechanism. It seems that a geometric interpretation of this mechanism-the cancellation of local and global fermion anomalies against local and global anomalies in the electric coupling of an abelian gauge field-always proceeds in a similar manner. For example, a previous paper with M. Hopkins (hep-th/0002027) explains the cancellation of anomalies in Type II with D-branes in these terms. The focal point of this paper is a general discussion about abelian gauge fields and Dirac charge quantization. Namely, we argue that quantization of charge is implemented in the functional integral by interpreting abelian gauge fields as cochains in a generalized differential cohomology theory. Our exposition includes elementary examples as well as examples from superstring theory. The mathematical underpinnings of differential cohomology are currently under development; we only give a sketch here. The anomaly cancellation in Type I depends on properties of a certain quadratic form in KO-theory, which we analyze in an appendix written jointly with M. Hopkins. In particular, the usual equation ``Tr R^2 = Tr F^2'' is refined to an equation in the KO-theory of spacetime.
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Refines charge quantization via homotopy type A whose homotopy groups classify brane charges and homology groups classify higher-form symmetries, deriving swampland-like constraints that rule out noncompact gauge groups and non-nilpotent Lie algebras for field strengths.
A simplicial set sOb_bullet(M) of Hamiltonian forms in n-plectic geometry is shown to be a Kan complex, supplying an n-groupoid model for observables and a categorified pre-n-Hilbert space via recursive inner products.
Global completion of Maxwell-type higher gauge fields is achieved by flux quantization in differential nonabelian cohomology, with applications to M-theory, type IIA supergravity, and M5-brane anyons.
A review of branes in string theory covering their multiple descriptions and interaction phenomena.
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Symmetry TFTs from String Theory
Constructs Symmetry TFTs for M-theory compactifications by reducing the topological sector of 11d supergravity on the boundary of X using differential cohomology, with applications to 7d SYM and 5d SCFTs confirmed via IIB 5-brane webs.
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Generalised Symmetries and Swampland-Type Constraints from Charge Quantisation via Rational Homotopy Theory
Refines charge quantization via homotopy type A whose homotopy groups classify brane charges and homology groups classify higher-form symmetries, deriving swampland-like constraints that rule out noncompact gauge groups and non-nilpotent Lie algebras for field strengths.
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A Simplicial Approach to Higher Geometric Quantization
A simplicial set sOb_bullet(M) of Hamiltonian forms in n-plectic geometry is shown to be a Kan complex, supplying an n-groupoid model for observables and a categorified pre-n-Hilbert space via recursive inner products.
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Higher Gauge Theory via Differential Nonabelian Cohomology
Global completion of Maxwell-type higher gauge fields is achieved by flux quantization in differential nonabelian cohomology, with applications to M-theory, type IIA supergravity, and M5-brane anyons.
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Branes
A review of branes in string theory covering their multiple descriptions and interaction phenomena.