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On the Higher Categorical Structure of Topological Defects in Quantum Field Theories

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arxiv 2505.04761 v1 pith:5U2WUOU5 submitted 2025-05-07 math-ph hep-thmath.ATmath.CTmath.MPmath.QA

classification math-phhep-thmath.ATmath.CTmath.MPmath.QA
keywords topologicaldefectsfieldquantumstructureshighertheoriescategorical
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abstract

We propose a unifying mathematical framework describing the higher categorical structures formed by topological defects in quantum field theory equipped with tangential structures, such as orientations, framings, or $\operatorname{Pin}^{\pm}$-structures, in terms of structured versions of higher dagger categories. This recovers all previously known results, including the description of oriented topological defects in 2-dimensional quantum field theories by pivotal bicategories. Assuming the stratified cobordism hypothesis, we prove our proposal for topological defects with stable tangential structures that admit a direct sum in fully extended topological quantum field theories.

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Cited by 4 Pith papers

Reviewed papers in the Pith corpus that reference this work. Sorted by Pith novelty score. Full citation record

  1. Non-Abelian Symmetry Operators from Hanging Branes in $AdS_5 \times S^5$

    hep-th 2025-10 conditional novelty 7.0 of 10

    In AdS5×S5, non-Abelian SO(6) symmetry operators are realized by hanging D5-brane–KK-monopole bound states, matching the Gauss-law operators from the low-energy supergravity action.

  2. Continuous symmetries and charge measurement of boundary operators in holography

    hep-th 2026-02 conditional novelty 6.0 of 10

    Continuous symmetry operators in holography are U-shaped hanging brane bound states (D5-KK in Type IIB, M5-KK in M-theory) whose worldvolume couplings reproduce the Gauss-law symmetry operators and measure charges of ...

  3. On the Physics of Higher Condensation Defects

    hep-th 2025-06 conditional novelty 6.0 of 10

    Topological defects from higher gauging are shown, via explicit Lagrangian computations, to satisfy the Karoubi completeness condition of Johnson-Freyd's higher fusion categories, and this is identified with splitting...

  4. Topological defects in reflection positive topological field theories

    math-ph 2026-08 conditional novelty 5.0 of 10

    A reflection-positive two-dimensional defect TQFT gives its defect bicategory an O(2)-dagger structure, and with positivity a structure close to a 3-Hilbert space.

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