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Symmetry Fractionalization, Defects, and Gauging of Topological Phases

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18 Pith papers citing it
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abstract

We examine the interplay of symmetry and topological order in $2+1$ dimensional topological phases of matter. We present a definition of the \it topological symmetry \rm group, which characterizes the symmetry of the emergent topological quantum numbers of a topological phase, and we describe its relation with the microscopic symmetry of the underlying physical system. We derive a general framework to characterize and classify symmetry fractionalization in topological phases, including phases that are non-Abelian and symmetries that permute the quasiparticle types and/or are anti-unitary. We develop a theory of extrinsic defects (fluxes) associated with elements of the symmetry group, which provides a general classification of symmetry-enriched topological phases derived from a topological phase of matter $\mathcal{C}$ with symmetry group $G$. The algebraic theory of the defects, known as a $G$-crossed braided tensor category $\mathcal{C}_{G}^{\times}$, allows one to compute many properties, such as the number of topologically distinct types of defects associated with each group element, their fusion rules, quantum dimensions, zero modes, braiding exchange transformations, a generalized Verlinde formula for the defects, and modular transformations of the $G$-crossed extensions of topological phases. We also examine the promotion of the global symmetry to a local gauge invariance, wherein the extrinsic $G$-defects are turned into deconfined quasiparticle excitations, which results in a different topological phase $(\mathcal{C}_{G}^{\times})^{G}$. A number of instructive and/or physically relevant examples are studied in detail.

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representative citing papers

Monodromy defects in Chern-Simons theory and Holography

hep-th · 2026-07-07 · accept · novelty 8.0

Monodromy defects in charge-conjugation-symmetric Chern-Simons theory are labeled by twisted affine representations, realize a Z2-crossed category, and are holographically dual to orientifolds of the resolved conifold plus branes.

Twisted quantum doubles are sign problem-free

cond-mat.str-el · 2025-09-03 · unverdicted · novelty 8.0

Twisted quantum double phases for finite groups can be realized in sign problem-free local Hamiltonians via stochastic series expansion, contrary to the prior belief that non-positive wavefunctions imply an intrinsic sign problem.

Hypergroup Symmetry in Relative Quantum Field Theories and Chiral Algebras

hep-th · 2026-06-03 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Framework for hypergroup symmetries in relative QFTs establishes one-to-one correspondence between finite symmetries and finite-index conformal embeddings in rational chiral algebras, with implications for gluing left-right symmetries and boundary conditions in 2D CFTs.

Half-Spacetime Gauging of 2-Group Symmetry in 3d

hep-th · 2026-05-07 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Constructs non-invertible duality defects in (2+1)d QFTs from half-spacetime gauging of 2-group symmetries and derives explicit fusion rules with examples in U(1)^3 gauge theories.

Lattice chiral symmetry from bosons in 3+1d

hep-th · 2026-04-07 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

A bosonic lattice model realizes exact chiral symmetry and its anomaly in 3+1d, with the continuum limit a compact boson theory with axion-like coupling.

Higher Gauging and Non-invertible Condensation Defects

hep-th · 2022-04-05 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Higher gauging of 1-form symmetries on surfaces in 2+1d QFT yields condensation defects whose fusion rules involve 1+1d TQFTs and realizes every 0-form symmetry in TQFTs.

Notes on (-2)-form symmetries

hep-th · 2026-06-04 · conditional · novelty 6.0

(-2)-form symmetries are realized as non-genuine defects in the Symmetry TFT and relate theories with different anomaly or associator data.

Generalized Families of QFTs

hep-th · 2026-02-09 · conditional · novelty 6.0

Broken higher-group and non-invertible symmetries still act on the space of couplings, and their 'family anomalies' force the infrared theory to be gapless, spontaneously broken, or interrupted by a phase transition.

When Symmetries Twist: Anomaly Inflow on Monodromy Defects

hep-th · 2026-05-15 · unverdicted · novelty 5.0 · 2 refs

Anomaly inflow on monodromy defects in anomalous symmetry theories defines them as domain walls inducing topological order, yielding protected chiral edge modes and adiabatic pumping of gapless degrees of freedom, verified in chiral symmetry examples on continuum and lattice.

ICTP Lectures on (Non-)Invertible Generalized Symmetries

hep-th · 2023-05-29 · accept · novelty 2.0

Lecture notes explain non-invertible generalized symmetries in QFTs as topological defects arising from stacking with TQFTs and gauging diagonal symmetries, plus their action on charges and the SymTFT framework.

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