04.12.2023 (Monday)

Finding isomorphic superconformal field theories

Regular Seminar Monica Kang (Caltech)

at:
14:00 IC
room Huxley 503
abstract:

When do two different looking quantum field theories describe the same physics? This is essentially asking when the quantum field theories are isomorphic. In the case of topological quantum field theories, there are sometimes a way to determine them via topological invariants. For a superconformal field theory, what would be the minimal set of “invariants” to determine when they are isomorphic? I will discuss some approaches to this question in the context of superconformal field theories in four and six dimensions. Utilizing 4d class S theories that also admits 6d (1,0) SCFT origins, I will explain how a certain class of 4d N=2 SCFTs, which a priori look like distinct theories, can be shown to describe the same physics. I will further explain how the 6d (1,0) origin sheds light on the 3d duality.