We use differential cohomology to systematically construct a large class of topological actions in physics, including Chern-Simons terms, Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten terms, and theta terms (continuous or discrete). We introduce a notion of invariant differential cohomology and use it to describe theories with global symmetries and we use equivariant differential cohomology to describe theories with gauge symmetries. There is a natural map from equivariant to invariant differential cohomology whose failure to surject detects 't Hooft anomalies, i.e. global symmetries which cannot be gauged. We describe a number of simple examples from quantum mechanics, such as a rigid body or an electric charge coupled to a magnetic monopole. We also describe examples of sigma models, such as those describing non-abelian bosonization in two dimensions, for which we offer an intrinsically bosonic description of the mod-2-valued 't Hooft anomaly that is traditionally seen by passing to the dual theory of Majorana fermions. Along the way, we describe a smooth structure on equivariant differential cohomology and prove various exactness and splitting properties that help with the characterization of both the equivariant and invariant theories.
By adapting the Cheeger-Simons approach to differential cohomology, we establish a notion of differential cohomology with compact support. We show that it is functorial with respect to open embeddings and that it fits into a natural diagram of exact sequences which compare it to compactly supported singular cohomology and differential forms with compact support, in full analogy to ordinary differential cohomology. We prove an excision theorem for differential cohomology using a suitable relative version. Furthermore, we use our model to give an independent proof of Pontryagin duality for diffe…
We present a method to develop a Hodge theory for tangential cohomology of foliations by mimicing Witten's approach to ordinary Morse theory by perturbations of the Laplacian
We study differential cohomology on categories of globally hyperbolic Lorentzian manifolds. The Lorentzian metric allows us to define a natural transformation whose kernel generalizes Maxwell's equations and fits into a restriction of the fundamental exact sequences of differential cohomology. We consider smooth Pontryagin duals of differential cohomology groups, which are subgroups of the character groups. We prove that these groups fit into smooth duals of the fundamental exact sequences of differential cohomology and equip them with a natural presymplectic structure derived from a generaliz…
We introduce a Lagrangian density for M-Theory which is purely topological using Gelfand-Fuchs cohomology. Next we calculate the partition function which indeed gives topological invariants that can be expressed via the Ray-Singer analytic torsion.
We study the cohomology of the complexes of differential, integral and pseudo forms on odd symplectic manifolds taking the wedge product with the symplectic form as differential. We show that the cohomology classes are in correspondence with inequivalent Lagrangian submanifolds and that they all define semidensities on them. Further, we introduce new operators that move from one Lagragian submanifold to another and we investigate their relation with the so-called picture changing operators for the de Rham differential. Finally, we prove the isomorphism between the cohomology of the de Rham dif…
We compare the description of the M-theory form fields via cohomotopy versus that via integral cohomology. The conditions for lifting the latter to the former are identified using obstruction theory in the form of Postnikov towers, where torsion plays a central role. A subset of these conditions is shown to correspond compatibly to existing consistency conditions, while the rest are new and point to further consistency requirements for M-theory. Bringing in the geometry leads to a differential refinement of the Postnikov tower, which should be of independent interest. This provides another con…
In cohomological field theory we can obtain topological invariants as correlation functions of BRS cohomology classes. A proper understanding of BRS cohomology which gives non-trivial results requires the equivariant cohomology theory. Both topological Yang-Mills theory and topological string theory are typical examples of this fact. After reviewing the role of the equivariant cohomology in topological Yang-Mills theory, we show in purely algebraic framework how the $U(1)$ equivariant cohomology in topological string theory gives the gravitational descendants. The free energy gives a generatin…
In this paper, we examine the analogy between topological string theory and equivariant cohomology. We also show that the equivariant cohomology of a topological conformal field theory carries a certain algebraic structure, which we call a gravity algebra. (Error on page 9 corrected: BRS current contains total derivatives.)
We formulate differential cohomology and Chern-Weil theory -- the theory of connections on fiber bundles and of gauge fields -- abstractly in the context of a certain class of higher toposes that we call "cohesive". Cocycles in this differential cohomology classify higher principal bundles equipped with cohesive structure (topological, smooth, synthetic differential, supergeometric, etc.) and equipped with connections, hence higher gauge fields. We discuss various models of the axioms and applications to fundamental notions and constructions in quantum field theory and string theory. In partic…
Equivariant cohomology is suggested as an alternative algebraic framework for the definition of topological field theories constructed by E. Witten circa 1988. It also enlightens the classical Faddeev Popov gauge fixing procedure.
We discuss the classification of SPT phases in condensed matter systems. We review Kitaev's argument that SPT phases are classified by a generalized cohomology theory, valued in the spectrum of gapped physical systems. We propose a concrete description of that spectrum and of the corresponding cohomology theory. We compare our proposal to pre-existing constructions in the literature.
We consider spectral sequences in smooth generalized cohomology theories, including differential generalized cohomology theories. The main differential spectral sequences will be of the Atiyah-Hirzebruch (AHSS) type, where we provide a filtration by the Cech resolution of smooth manifolds. This allows for systematic study of torsion in differential cohomology. We apply this in detail to smooth Deligne cohomology, differential topological complex K-theory, and to a smooth extension of integral Morava K-theory that we introduce. In each case we explicitly identify the differentials in the corres…
We show that the zeroth cohomology of effective line bundles on del Pezzo and Hirzebruch surfaces can always be computed in terms of a topological index.
The chiral anomaly can be considered as an object defined either on the space of gauge potentials or on the orbit space. We will discuss the relation between the two descriptions. We will also relate to the cohomology of the group of gauge transformations.
We review and elaborate on some aspects of the quantization of certain classes of higher abelian gauge theories using techniques of generalized differential cohomology. Particular emphasis is placed on the examples of generalized Maxwell theory and Cheeger-Simons cohomology, and of Ramond-Ramond fields in Type II superstring theory and differential K-theory.
We construct an exactly solvable commuting projector model for a $4+1$ dimensional ${\mathbb Z}_2$ symmetry-protected topological phase (SPT) which is outside the cohomology classification of SPTs. The model is described by a decorated domain wall construction, with "three-fermion" Walker-Wang phases on the domain walls. We describe the anomalous nature of the phase in several ways. One interesting feature is that, in contrast to in-cohomology phases, the effective ${\mathbb Z}_2$ symmetry on a $3+1$ dimensional boundary cannot be described by a quantum circuit and instead is a nontrivial quan…
We construct sheaf-cohomological analogues of Mathai-Quillen forms, that is, holomorphic bundle-valued differential forms whose cohomology classes are independent of certain deformations, and which are believed to possess Thom-like properties. Ordinary Mathai-Quillen forms are special cases of these constructions, as we discuss. These sheaf-theoretic variations arise physically in A/2 and B/2 pseudo-topological field theories, and we comment on their origin and role.
We suggest an explanation for the part of the Satake Correspondence which relates the quantum cohomology of complex Grassmannians and the quantum cohomology of complex projective space, as well as their respective Stokes data, based on the original physics approach using the tt* equations. We also use the Stokes data of the tt* equations to provide a Lie-theoretic link between particles in affine Toda models and solitons in certain sigma-models. Along the way, we illustrate some (well known) relations between the tt* equations, the non-abelian Hodge Correspondence, and quantum cohomology.
Semi-infinite cohomology is constructed from scratch as the proper generalization of finite dimensional Lie algebra cohomology. The differential d and other operators are realized as universal inner deri- vations of a completed algebra, which acts on any appropriate semi-infinite complex. In particular, d is shown to be the unique derivation satisfying the "Cartan identity" and certain natural degree conditions. The proof that d is square-zero may well be the shortest (arguably, the only) one in print.
We propose that Symmetry Protected Topological Phases with a finite symmetry group G are classified by cobordism groups of the classifying space of G. This provides an explanation for the recent discovery of bosonic SPT phases which do not fit into the group cohomology classification. We discuss the connection of the cobordism classification of SPT phases to gauge and gravitational anomalies in various dimensions.
We present a detailed algebraic study of the N=2 cohomological set--up describing the balanced topological field theory of Dijkgraaf and Moore. We emphasize the role of N=2 topological supersymmetry and $sl(2,R)$ internal symmetry by a systematic use of superfield techniques and of an $sl(2,R)$ covariant formalism. We provide a definition of N=2 basic and equivariant cohomology, generalizing Dijkgraaf's and Moore's, and of N=2 connection. For a general manifold with a group action, we show that: $i$) the N=2 basic cohomology is isomorphic to the tensor product of the ordinary N=1 basic cohomol…
These are expository lectures reviewing (1) recent developments in two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory, and (2) the construction of topological field theory Lagrangians. Topological field theory is discussed from the point of view of infinite-dimensional differential geometry. We emphasize the unifying role of equivariant cohomology both as the underlying principle in the formulation of BRST transformation laws and as a central concept in the geometrical interpretation of topological field theory path integrals.
This paper analyzes spacetime symmetries of topological string theory on a two dimensional torus, and points out that the spacetime geometry of the model is that of the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism. Previously I found an infinite symmetry algebra in the absolute BRST cohomology of the model. Here I find an analog of the BV $Δ$ operator, and show that it defines a natural semirelative BRST cohomology. In the absolute cohomology, the ghost-number-zero symmetries form the algebra of all infinitesimal spacetime diffeomorphisms, extended at non-zero ghost numbers to the algebra of all odd-symplecti…
The symmetries of the topological Yang-Mills theory are studied in the Hamiltonian formalism and the generators of the twisted N=2 superPoincaré algebra are explicitly constructed. Noting that the twisted Lorentz generators do not generate the Lorentz symmetry of the theory, we relate the two by extracting from the latter the twisted version of the internal SU(2) generator. The hermiticity properties of the various generators are also considered throughout, and the boost generators are found to be non-hermitian. We then recover the BRST cohomology condition on physical states from representati…
A topological field theory is used to study the cohomology of mapping space. The cohomology is identified with the BRST cohomology realizing the physical Hilbert space and the coboundary operator given by the calculations of tunneling between the perturbative vacua. Our method is illustrated by a simple example.
We construct topological recursion relations (TRR's) at higher genera $g\ge2$ for general 2-dimensional topological field theories coupled to gravity. These TRR's when combined with Virasoro conditions enable one to determine the number of higher genus holomorphic curves in any Fano varieties. In the case of $CP^2$ we reproduce the known results at genus $g=2$.
We give an overview of differential cohomology from a modern, homotopy-theoretic perspective in terms of sheaves on manifolds. Although modern techniques are used, we base our discussion in the classical precursors to this modern approach, such as Chern-Weil theory and differential characters, and include the necessary background to increase accessibility. Special treatment is given to differential characteristic classes, including a differential lift of the first Pontryagin class. Multiple applications, including to configuration spaces, invertible field theories, and conformal immersions, ar…
Using the first order formalism (BFYM) of the Yang-Mills theory we show that it displays an embedded topological sector corresponding to the field content of the Topological Yang-Mills theory (TYM). This picture arises after a proper redefinition of the fields of BFYM and gives a clear representation of the non perturbative part of the theory in terms of the topological sector. In this setting the calculation of the $vev$ of a YM observable is translated into the calculation of a corresponding (non topological) quantity in TYM. We then compare the topological observables of TYM with a similar …
We explore differential and algebraic operations on the exterior product of spinor representations and their twists that give rise to cohomology, the spin cohomology. A linear differential operator $d$ is introduced which is associated to a connection $\nabla$ and a parallel spinor $ζ$, $\nablaζ=0$, and the algebraic operators $D_{(p)}$ are constructed from skew-products of $p$ gamma matrices. We exhibit a large number of spin cohomology operators and we investigate the spin cohomologies associated with connections whose holonomy is a subgroup of $SU(m)$, $G_2$, $Spin(7)$ and $Sp(2)$. In the $…
Short-range entangled topological phases of matter are closely connected to Topological Quantum Field Theory. We use this connection to classify bosonic Symmetry Protected Topological Phases in low dimensions, including the case when the symmetry involves time-reversal. To accomplish this, we generalize Turaev's description of equivariant TQFT to the unoriented case. We show that invertible unoriented equivariant TQFTs in one or less spatial dimensions are classified by twisted group cohomology, in agreement with the group cohomology proposal of Chen, Gu, Liu and Wen. We also show that inverti…
We calculate partition function and correlation functions in A-twisted 2d $\mathcal{N}=(2,2)$ theories and topologically twisted 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ theories containing adjoint chiral multiplet with particular choices of $R$-charges and the magnetic fluxes for flavor symmetries. According to Gauge-Bethe correspondence, they correspond to Heisenberg XXX and XXZ spin chain models. We identify the partition function as the inverse of the norm of the Bethe eigenstates. Correlation functions are identified as the coefficients of the expectation value of Baxter $Q$-operators. In addition, we consider…
We discuss the toplogical sigma model on an orbifold target space. We describe the moduli space of classical minima for computing correlation functions involving twisted operators, and show, through a detailed computation of an orbifold of ${\bf CP}^1$ by the dihedral group $D_{4},$ how to compute the complete ring of observables. Through this procedure, we compute all the rings from dihedral ${\bf CP}^1$ orbifolds; we note a similarity with rings derived from perturbed $D-$series superpotentials of the $A-D-E$ classification of $N = 2$ minimal models. We then consider ${\bf CP}^2/D_4,$ and sh…
We investigate in detail the topological gauged Wess-Zumino-Witten models describing topological Kazama-Suzuki models based on complex Grassmannians. We show that there is a topological sector in which the ring of observables (constructed from the Grassmann odd scalars of the theory) coincides with the classical cohomology ring of the Grassmannian for all values of the level k. We perform a detailed analysis of the non-trivial topological sectors arising from the adjoint gauging, and investigate the general ring structure of bosonic correlation functions, uncovering a whole hierarchy of level-…
We found a quantum cohomology/homology of quantum Hall effect which arises as the invariant property of the Chern-Simons theory of quantum Hall effect and showed that it should be equivalent to the quantum cohomology which arose as the invariant property of topological sigma models. This isomorphism should be related with an equivalence between the supersymmetric- and quantization structures in two dimensional models and/or with an equivalence between topological sigma models and the Chern-Simons theory by the methode of master equation.
We present a complete classification, at the classical level, of the observables of topological Yang-Mills theories with an extended shift supersymmetry of N generators, in any space-time dimension. The observables are defined as the Yang-Mills BRST cohomology classes of shift supersymmetry invariants. These cohomology classes turn out to be solutions of an N-extension of Witten's equivariant cohomology. This work generalizes results known in the case of shift supersymmetry with a single generator.
Observables of topological Yang-Mills theory were defined by Witten as the classes of an equivariant cohomology. We propose to define them alternatively as the BRST cohomology classes of a superspace version of the theory, where BRST invariance is associated to super Yang-Mills invariance. We provide and discuss the general solution of this cohomology.
It is typical for a semi-infinite cohomology complex associated with a graded Lie algebra to occur as a vertex operator (or chiral) superalgebra where all the standard operators of cohomology theory, in particular the differential, are modes of vertex operators (fields). Although vertex operator superalgebras -with the inherent Virasoro action- are regarded as part of Conformal Field Theory (CFT), a VOSA may exhibit a square-zero operator (often, but not always, the semi-infinite cohomology differential) for which the Virasoro algebra acts trivially in the cohomology. Capable of shedding its C…
In this paper, we study the perturbative aspects of the half-twisted variant of Witten's topological A-model coupled to a non-dynamical gauge field with Kahler target space X being a G-manifold. Our main objective is to furnish a purely physical interpretation of the equivariant cohomology of the chiral de Rham complex, recently constructed by Lian and Linshaw in [arXiv:math/0501084], called the "chiral equivariant cohomology". In doing so, one finds that key mathematical results such as the vanishing in the chiral equivariant cohomology of positive weight classes, lend themselves to straightf…
A field theoretical realization of topological gravity is discussed in the semirigid geometry context. In particular, its topological nature is given by the relation between deRham cohomology and equivariant BRST cohomology and the fact that all but one of the physical operators are BRST-exact. The puncture equation and the dilaton equation of pure topological gravity are reproduced, following reference \dil.
