A Tour of Categorical Symmetry

Abstract: A categorical symmetry is a category acting as a symmetry of a QFT. These symmetries correspond to the topological operators in the QFT. I'll try to motivate this definition with some simple examples. Then I'll discuss a bulk-boundary correspondence which in finite situations allows us to classify gapped phases with categorical symmetry and define things like anomalous symmetries and gauging. I'll conclude with some more examples of topological operators in c = 1 CFTs and describe a Noether theorem for continuous categorical symmetries.

differential geometrymetric geometry

Audience: researchers in the discipline

Western Hemisphere colloquium on geometry and physics

Series comments: Description: Biweekly colloquium of geometers and physicists

This weekly online colloquium features geometers and physicists presenting current research on a wide range of topics in the interface of the two fields. The talks are aimed at a broad audience. They will take place via Zoom on alternate Mondays at 3pm Eastern, noon Pacific, 4pm BRT. Each session features a 60 minute talk, followed by 15 minutes for questions and discussion. You may join the meeting 15 minutes in advance. Questions and comments may be submitted to the moderator via the chat interface during the talk, or presented in person during the Q&A session. These colloquia will be recorded and will be available (linked from the website) asap after the event.