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Exploring 2-Group Global Symmetries

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17 Pith papers citing it
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abstract

We analyze four-dimensional quantum field theories with continuous 2-group global symmetries. At the level of their charges such symmetries are identical to a product of continuous flavor or spacetime symmetries with a 1-form global symmetry $U(1)^{(1)}_B$, which arises from a conserved 2-form current $J_B^{(2)}$. Rather, 2-group symmetries are characterized by deformed current algebras, with quantized structure constants, which allow two flavor currents or stress tensors to fuse into $J_B^{(2)}$. This leads to unconventional Ward identities, which constrain the allowed patterns of spontaneous 2-group symmetry breaking and other aspects of the renormalization group flow. If $J_B^{(2)}$ is coupled to a 2-form background gauge field $B^{(2)}$, the 2-group current algebra modifies the behavior of $B^{(2)}$ under background gauge transformations. Its transformation rule takes the same form as in the Green-Schwarz mechanism, but only involves the background gauge or gravity fields that couple to the other 2-group currents. This makes it possible to partially cancel reducible 't Hooft anomalies using Green-Schwarz counterterms for the 2-group background gauge fields. The parts that cannot be cancelled are reinterpreted as mixed, global anomalies involving $U(1)_B^{(1)}$ and receive contributions from topological, as well as massless, degrees of freedom. Theories with 2-group symmetry are constructed by gauging an abelian flavor symmetry with suitable mixed 't Hooft anomalies, which leads to many simple and explicit examples. Some of them have dynamical string excitations that carry $U(1)_B^{(1)}$ charge, and 2-group symmetry determines certain 't Hooft anomalies on the world sheets of these strings. Finally, we point out that holographic theories with 2-group global symmetries have a bulk description in terms of dynamical gauge fields that participate in a conventional Green-Schwarz mechanism.

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representative citing papers

Non-Invertible Duality Defects in 3+1 Dimensions

hep-th · 2021-11-01 · unverdicted · novelty 8.0

Constructs non-invertible duality defects for one-form symmetries in 3+1D by partial gauging, derives fusion rules, proves incompatibility with trivial gapped phases, and realizes explicitly in Maxwell theory and lattice models.

Generalized Families of QFTs

hep-th · 2026-02-09 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Generalized family anomalies for broken higher-group and non-invertible symmetries constrain RG flows and IR phases of QFT families, with explicit application to deformed 4d QCD.

Symmetry TFTs from String Theory

hep-th · 2021-12-03 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

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.

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.

Modulated symmetries from generalized Lieb-Schultz-Mattis anomalies

cond-mat.str-el · 2025-10-21 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

Spatially modulated symmetries arise from gauging ordinary symmetries under generalized LSM anomalies, with explicit lattice models in 2D and 3D plus field-theoretic descriptions in arbitrary dimensions that connect to higher-group structures.

Categorical Symmetries via Operator Algebras

hep-th · 2026-04-28 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

The symmetry category of a 2D QFT with G-symmetry and anomaly k equals the twisted Hilbert space category Hilb^k(G), whose Drinfeld center is the twisted representation category of the conjugation groupoid C*-algebra, enabling braiding computations in the 3D SymTFT.

Topological symmetry in quantum field theory

hep-th · 2022-09-15 · unverdicted · novelty 5.0

Authors introduce a TFT-based framework for finite topological symmetries in QFT, including gauging, condensation defects, and duality defects, with an appendix on finite homotopy theories.

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.

Lectures on Generalized Symmetries

hep-th · 2023-07-14 · unverdicted · novelty 1.0

Lecture notes that systematically introduce higher-form symmetries, SymTFTs, higher-group symmetries, and related concepts in QFT using gauge theory examples.

citing papers explorer

Showing 17 of 17 citing papers.

  • Non-Invertible Duality Defects in 3+1 Dimensions hep-th · 2021-11-01 · unverdicted · none · ref 3 · internal anchor

    Constructs non-invertible duality defects for one-form symmetries in 3+1D by partial gauging, derives fusion rules, proves incompatibility with trivial gapped phases, and realizes explicitly in Maxwell theory and lattice models.

  • Type-IV 't Hooft Anomalies on the Lattice: Emergent Higher-Categorical Symmetries and Applications to LSM Systems cond-mat.str-el · 2026-04-03 · unverdicted · none · ref 9

    A concrete lattice model realizing a type-IV mixed anomaly yields emergent higher-categorical symmetries upon gauging, and the same framework applied to Lieb-Schultz-Mattis systems produces modulated symmetries whose realization is intrinsically defect-dependent.

  • Lattice Gauging Interfaces and Noninvertible Defects in Higher Dimensions cond-mat.str-el · 2026-05-12 · unverdicted · none · ref 4 · internal anchor

    Explicit lattice constructions of gauging interfaces and condensation defects are given for higher-dimensional systems with higher-form symmetries, using movement operators to manage constrained Hilbert spaces.

  • Generalized Families of QFTs hep-th · 2026-02-09 · unverdicted · none · ref 96 · internal anchor

    Generalized family anomalies for broken higher-group and non-invertible symmetries constrain RG flows and IR phases of QFT families, with explicit application to deformed 4d QCD.

  • Symmetry TFTs from String Theory hep-th · 2021-12-03 · unverdicted · none · ref 4 · internal anchor

    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.

  • Lattice chiral symmetry from bosons in 3+1d hep-th · 2026-04-07 · unverdicted · none · ref 42

    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.

  • 3-Crossed Module Structure in the Five-Dimensional Topological Axion Electrodynamics hep-th · 2026-02-13 · unverdicted · none · ref 18 · internal anchor

    The five-dimensional topological axion electrodynamics is shown to possess a 3-crossed module structure through modified Stueckelberg couplings required for background gauge invariance.

  • Automorphism in Gauge Theories: Higher Symmetries and Transversal Non-Clifford Logical Gates cond-mat.str-el · 2025-11-19 · unverdicted · none · ref 32 · internal anchor

    Automorphisms of gauge groups extend to higher or non-invertible symmetries in topological gauge theories and enable transversal non-Clifford gates in 2+1d Z_N qudit Clifford stabilizer models for N greater than or equal to 3.

  • Modulated symmetries from generalized Lieb-Schultz-Mattis anomalies cond-mat.str-el · 2025-10-21 · unverdicted · none · ref 59 · internal anchor

    Spatially modulated symmetries arise from gauging ordinary symmetries under generalized LSM anomalies, with explicit lattice models in 2D and 3D plus field-theoretic descriptions in arbitrary dimensions that connect to higher-group structures.

  • Categorical Symmetries via Operator Algebras hep-th · 2026-04-28 · unverdicted · none · ref 125

    The symmetry category of a 2D QFT with G-symmetry and anomaly k equals the twisted Hilbert space category Hilb^k(G), whose Drinfeld center is the twisted representation category of the conjugation groupoid C*-algebra, enabling braiding computations in the 3D SymTFT.

  • Topological symmetry in quantum field theory hep-th · 2022-09-15 · unverdicted · none · ref 20 · internal anchor

    Authors introduce a TFT-based framework for finite topological symmetries in QFT, including gauging, condensation defects, and duality defects, with an appendix on finite homotopy theories.

  • What's Done Cannot Be Undone: TASI Lectures on Non-Invertible Symmetries hep-th · 2023-08-01 · unverdicted · none · ref 208 · internal anchor

    A survey of non-invertible symmetries with constructions in the Ising model and applications to neutral pion decay and other systems.

  • ICTP Lectures on (Non-)Invertible Generalized Symmetries hep-th · 2023-05-29 · accept · none · ref 94 · internal anchor

    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.

  • Snowmass White Paper: Generalized Symmetries in Quantum Field Theory and Beyond hep-th · 2022-05-19 · unverdicted · none · ref 58 · internal anchor

    This review summarizes transformative examples of generalized symmetries in QFT and their applications to anomalies and dynamics.

  • Lectures on Generalized Symmetries hep-th · 2023-07-14 · unverdicted · none · ref 183 · internal anchor

    Lecture notes that systematically introduce higher-form symmetries, SymTFTs, higher-group symmetries, and related concepts in QFT using gauge theory examples.

  • A missing link: Brane networks and the Cobordism Conjecture hep-th · 2026-05-18 · unreviewed · ref 64 · internal anchor
  • Half-Spacetime Gauging of 2-Group Symmetry in 3d hep-th · 2026-05-07 · unreviewed · ref 24