What is an anomaly?

Abstract: Anomalies in quantum field theory have been the subject of attention for decades. In this talk I will dispel some myths: anomalies are tied to symmetry, anomalies are tied to fermionic fields, etc. Then I will explain how anomalies - expressed as invertible field theories - are the manifestation of the projectivity of quantum field theory. My point of view is summarized by a slogan:

Quantum theory is projective. Quantization is linear.

mathematical physicsalgebraic topologycategory theoryquantum algebra

Audience: researchers in the topic

( video )

Comments: Please note the earlier starting time, half an hour before the usual time.

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Topological Quantum Field Theory Club (IST, Lisbon)

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