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Comments on One-Form Global Symmetries and Their Gauging in 3d and 4d

Canonical reference. 91% of citing Pith papers cite this work as background.

18 Pith papers citing it
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abstract

We study 3d and 4d systems with a one-form global symmetry, explore their consequences, and analyze their gauging. For simplicity, we focus on $\mathbb{Z}_N$ one-form symmetries. A 3d topological quantum field theory (TQFT) $\mathcal{T}$ with such a symmetry has $N$ special lines that generate it. The braiding of these lines and their spins are characterized by a single integer $p$ modulo $2N$. Surprisingly, if $\gcd(N,p)=1$ the TQFT factorizes $\mathcal{T}=\mathcal{T}'\otimes \mathcal{A}^{N,p}$. Here $\mathcal{T}'$ is a decoupled TQFT, whose lines are neutral under the global symmetry and $\mathcal{A}^{N,p}$ is a minimal TQFT with the $\mathbb{Z}_N$ one-form symmetry of label $p$. The parameter $p$ labels the obstruction to gauging the $\mathbb{Z}_N$ one-form symmetry; i.e.\ it characterizes the 't Hooft anomaly of the global symmetry. When $p=0$ mod $2N$, the symmetry can be gauged. Otherwise, it cannot be gauged unless we couple the system to a 4d bulk with gauge fields extended to the bulk. This understanding allows us to consider $SU(N)$ and $PSU(N)$ 4d gauge theories. Their dynamics is gapped and it is associated with confinement and oblique confinement -- probe quarks are confined. In the $PSU(N)$ theory the low-energy theory can include a discrete gauge theory. We will study the behavior of the theory with a space-dependent $\theta$-parameter, which leads to interfaces. Typically, the theory on the interface is not confining. Furthermore, the liberated probe quarks are anyons on the interface. The $PSU(N)$ theory is obtained by gauging the $\mathbb{Z}_N$ one-form symmetry of the $SU(N)$ theory. Our understanding of the symmetries in 3d TQFTs allows us to describe the interface in the $PSU(N)$ theory.

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representative citing papers

Non-Invertible Anyon Condensation and Level-Rank Dualities

hep-th · 2023-12-26 · unverdicted · novelty 8.0

New dualities in 3d TQFTs are derived via non-invertible anyon condensation, generalizing level-rank dualities and providing new presentations for parafermion theories, c=1 orbifolds, and SU(2)_N.

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.

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

hep-th · 2026-05-07 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0 · 2 refs

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.

2-Group Symmetries of 3-dimensional Defect TQFTs and Their Gauging

math.QA · 2025-06-09 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

The paper proves that 2-group symmetries in 3D defect TQFTs from G-crossed braided fusion categories have no gauging obstructions and that gauging the 0-form G-symmetry on the neutral component produces the equivariantisation, with a reciprocal relation when G is commutative.

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.

String probes, simple currents, and the no global symmetries conjecture

hep-th · 2026-05-12 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

Chiral simple current extensions on the worldsheet reproduce and generalize obstructions to gauging center one-form symmetries in 6d and 8d string compactifications while clarifying BPS particle requirements upon circle reduction.

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.

Confinement in a finite duality cascade

hep-th · 2026-04-20 · conditional · novelty 5.0

Holographic consistency checks confirm confinement (area law), domain-wall dynamics matching YM-CS theory, and absence of stable axionic strings in a D3/O7-conifold gauge/gravity dual.

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 18 of 18 citing papers.

  • Non-Invertible Anyon Condensation and Level-Rank Dualities hep-th · 2023-12-26 · unverdicted · none · ref 19 · internal anchor

    New dualities in 3d TQFTs are derived via non-invertible anyon condensation, generalizing level-rank dualities and providing new presentations for parafermion theories, c=1 orbifolds, and SU(2)_N.

  • Non-Invertible Duality Defects in 3+1 Dimensions hep-th · 2021-11-01 · unverdicted · none · ref 68 · 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.

  • Lattice Gauging Interfaces and Noninvertible Defects in Higher Dimensions cond-mat.str-el · 2026-05-12 · unverdicted · none · ref 3 · 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.

  • Half-Spacetime Gauging of 2-Group Symmetry in 3d hep-th · 2026-05-07 · unverdicted · none · ref 37 · 2 links · internal anchor

    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.

  • 2-Group Symmetries of 3-dimensional Defect TQFTs and Their Gauging math.QA · 2025-06-09 · unverdicted · none · ref 8 · internal anchor

    The paper proves that 2-group symmetries in 3D defect TQFTs from G-crossed braided fusion categories have no gauging obstructions and that gauging the 0-form G-symmetry on the neutral component produces the equivariantisation, with a reciprocal relation when G is commutative.

  • Defect Charges, Gapped Boundary Conditions, and the Symmetry TFT hep-th · 2024-08-02 · unverdicted · none · ref 51 · internal anchor

    Defect charges under generalized symmetries correspond one-to-one with gapped boundary conditions of the Symmetry TFT Z(C) on Y = Σ_{d-p+1} × S^{p-1} via dimensional reduction.

  • Higher Gauging and Non-invertible Condensation Defects hep-th · 2022-04-05 · unverdicted · none · ref 94 · internal anchor

    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.

  • Non-invertible symmetries in the axiverse, and the imaginary wormholes hep-th · 2026-06-24 · conditional · none · ref 86 · internal anchor

    Imaginary wormholes and the IDB imply that towers of BPS EFT instantons generate infinitely many superpotential terms that break non-invertible axion shift symmetries in N=1 axiverse models.

  • Notes on (-2)-form symmetries hep-th · 2026-06-04 · conditional · none · ref 106 · internal anchor

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

  • String probes, simple currents, and the no global symmetries conjecture hep-th · 2026-05-12 · unverdicted · none · ref 30 · internal anchor

    Chiral simple current extensions on the worldsheet reproduce and generalize obstructions to gauging center one-form symmetries in 6d and 8d string compactifications while clarifying BPS particle requirements upon circle reduction.

  • Generalized Families of QFTs hep-th · 2026-02-09 · conditional · none · ref 102 · internal anchor

    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.

  • Automorphism in Gauge Theories: Higher Symmetries and Transversal Non-Clifford Logical Gates cond-mat.str-el · 2025-11-19 · unverdicted · none · ref 24 · 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.

  • When Symmetries Twist: Anomaly Inflow on Monodromy Defects hep-th · 2026-05-15 · unverdicted · none · ref 80 · 2 links · internal anchor

    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.

  • Confinement in a finite duality cascade hep-th · 2026-04-20 · conditional · none · ref 28

    Holographic consistency checks confirm confinement (area law), domain-wall dynamics matching YM-CS theory, and absence of stable axionic strings in a D3/O7-conifold gauge/gravity dual.

  • What's Done Cannot Be Undone: TASI Lectures on Non-Invertible Symmetries hep-th · 2023-08-01 · unverdicted · none · ref 240 · 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 105 · 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 28 · 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 90 · internal anchor

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