Mixed anomalies, higher form symmetries, two-group symmetries and non-invertible symmetries have proved to be useful in providing non-trivial constraints on the dynamics of quantum field theories. We study mixed anomalies involving discrete zero-form global symmetries, and possibly a one-form symmetry, in 3d $\mathcal{N} \geq 3$ gauge theories using the superconformal index. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated via several classes of theories, including Chern-Simons-matter theories, such as the $\mathrm{U}(1)_k$ gauge theory with hypermultiplets of diverse charges, the $T(\mathrm{SU}(N))$ theory of Gaiotto-Witten, the theories with $\mathfrak{so}(2N)_{2k}$ gauge algebra and hypermultiplets in the vector representation, and variants of the Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis (ABJ) theory with the orthosymplectic gauge algebra. Gauging appropriate global symmetries of some of these models, we obtain various interesting theories with non-invertible symmetries or two-group structures.
We obtain generating functions associated to the abelian superconformal indices for 6d $(1,0)$ tensor and hypermultiplets on $S^1\times (S^5/Z_p)$. We extract the superconformal indices and their high and low temperature behaviors. We consider round and generically squashed $S^5$ in turn. We show that the unsquashed limit of the superconformal indices is smooth. We examine S-duality in the large $p$ limit that acts by exchanging the Hopf circle with the temporal circle.
We compute the 3d N = 2 superconformal indices for 3d/1d coupled systems, which arise as the worldvolume theories of intersecting surface defects engineered by Higgsing 5d N = 1 gauge theories. We generalize some known 3d dualities, including non-Abelian 3d mirror symmetry and 3d/3d correspondence, to some of the simple 3d/1d coupled systems. Finally we propose a q-Virasoro construction for the superconformal indices.
Recently, Kim and Imamura and Yokoyama derived an exact formula for superconformal indices in three-dimensional field theories. Using their results, we prove analytically the equality of superconformal indices in some U(1)-gauge group theories related by the mirror symmetry. The proofs are based on the well known identities of the theory of $q$-special functions. We also suggest the general index formula taking into account the $U(1)_J$ global symmetry present for abelian theories.
We calculate the superconformal indices of recently discovered three-dimensional N=4,5 Chern-Simons-matter theories and compare them with the corresponding indices of supergravity on AdS4 times orbifolds of S7. We find perfect agreement in the large N and large k limit, provided that the twisted sector contributions at the fixed loci of the orbifolds are properly taken into account. We also discuss the index for the so-called "dual ABJM" proposal.
We consider N=1,2 superconformal mechanics in 0+1 dimensions and show that if the Hamiltonian is invertible the superconformal generators can be used to construct half of the super Virasoro algebra. The full algebra can be derived if the special conformal generator is also invertible. The generators are quantized and a general prescription is given for the construction of the N=1 algebra independently of the specific details of the superconformal mechanics provided that in addition its quadratic Casimir operator vanishes.
We derive the superconformal index of the world-volume theory on M2-branes probing the cone over an arbitrary Sasaki-Einstein seven-manifold. The index is expressed in terms of the cohomology groups of the cone. We match our supergravity results with known results from gauge theory. Along the way we derive the spectrum of short Kaluza-Klein multiplets on generic Sasaki-Einstein seven-manifolds.
Aharony, Bergman, Jafferis and Maldacena have recently proposed a dual gravitational description for a family of superconformal Chern Simons theories in three spacetime dimensions. In this note we perform the one loop computation that determines the field theory superconformal index of this theory and compare with the index computed over the Fock space of dual supersymmetric gravitons. In the appropriate limit (large $N$ and large $k$) we find a perfect match.
We construct a modified double elliptic gamma function which is well defined when one of the base parameters lies on the unit circle. A model consisting of 6d hypermultiplets coupled to a gauge field theory living on a 4d defect is proposed whose superconformal index uses the double elliptic gamma function and obeys W(E7)-group symmetry.
We test several expected isomorphisms between the U(N)xU(N) ABJM theory and (SU(N)xSU(N))/Z_N theory including the BLG theory by comparing their superconformal indices. From moduli space analysis, it is expected that this equivalence can hold if and only if the rank N and Chern-Simons level k are coprime. We also calculate the index of the ABJ theory and investigate whether some theories with identical moduli spaces are isomorphic or not.
We study the superconformal indices of 4d theories coming from 6d N=(2,0) theory of type Γon a Riemann surface, with the action of the outer-automorphism σin the trace. We find that the indices are given by the partition function of a deformed 2d Yang-Mills on the Riemann surface with gauge group G which is S-dual to the subgroup of Γfixed by σ. In the 2-parameter deformed version, we find that it is governed not by Macdonald polynomials of type G, but by Macdonald polynomials associated to twisted affine root systems.
We propose a general formula for the perturbative large N superconformal index of 5d quiver fixed point theories that have an AdS(6)xS(4)/Z(n) supergravity dual. This index is obtained from the parent theory by projecting to orbifold-invariant states and adding the twisted sector contributions. Our result agrees with expectations from the dual supergravity description. We test our formula against the direct computation of the index for Z(2) and Z(3) and find complete agreement.
We study superconformal indices of 4d N=2 class S theories with certain irregular punctures called type $I_{k, N}$. This class of theories include generalized Argyres-Douglas theories of type $(A_{k-1}, A_{N-1})$ and more. We conjecture the superconformal indices in certain simplified limits based on the TQFT structure of the class S theories by writing an expression for the wave function corresponding to the puncture $I_{k, N}$. We write the Schur limit of the wave function when $k$ and $N$ are coprime. When $k=2$, we also conjecture a closed-form expression for the Hall-Littlewood index and …
An exact formula for partition functions in 3d field theories was recently suggested by Jafferis, and Hama, Hosomichi, and Lee. These functions are expressed in terms of specific $q$-hypergeometric integrals whose key building block is the double sine function (or the hyperbolic gamma function). Elliptic hypergeometric integrals, discovered by the second author, define 4d superconformal indices. Using their reduction to the hyperbolic level, we describe a general scheme of reducing 4d superconformal indices to 3d partition functions which imply an efficient way of getting 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ su…
The superconformal index of the quiver gauge theory dual to type IIB string theory on the product of an arbitrary smooth Sasaki-Einstein manifold with five-dimensional AdS space is calculated both from the gauge theory and gravity viewpoints. We find complete agreement. Along the way, we find that the index on the gravity side can be expressed in terms of the Kohn-Rossi cohomology of the Sasaki-Einstein manifold and that the index of a quiver gauge theory equals the Euler characteristic of the cyclic homology of the Ginzburg dg algebra associated to the quiver.
We generalize, in a manifestly Weyl-invariant way, our previous expressions for irregular singularity wave functions in two-dimensional SU(2) q-deformed Yang-Mills theory to SU(N). As an application, we give closed-form expressions for the Schur indices of all (A_{N-1}, A_{N(n-1)-1}) Argyres-Douglas (AD) superconformal field theories (SCFTs), thus completing the computation of these quantities for the (A_N, A_M) SCFTs. With minimal effort, our wave functions also give new Schur indices of various infinite sets of "Type IV" AD theories. We explore the discrete symmetries of these indices and al…
We present a trace formula for a Witten type Index for superconformal field theories in d=3,5 and 6 dimensions, generalizing a similar recent construction in d=4. We perform a detailed study of the decomposition of long representations into sums of short representations at the unitarity bound to demonstrate that our trace formula yields the most general index (i.e. quantity that is guaranteed to be protected by superconformal symmetry alone) for the corresponding superalgebras. Using the dual gravitational description, we compute our index for the theory on the world volume of N M2 and M5 bran…
Following a recent work of Dolan and Osborn, we consider superconformal indices of four dimensional ${\mathcal N}=1$ supersymmetric field theories related by an electric-magnetic duality with the SP(2N) gauge group and fixed rank flavour groups. For the SP(2) (or SU(2)) case with 8 flavours, the electric theory has index described by an elliptic analogue of the Gauss hypergeometric function constructed earlier by the first author. Using the $E_7$-root system Weyl group transformations for this function, we build a number of dual magnetic theories. One of them was originally discovered by Seibe…
Superconformal indices (SCIs) of 4d ${\mathcal N}=4$ SYM theories with simple gauge groups are described in terms of elliptic hypergeometric integrals. For $F_4, E_6, E_7, E_8$ gauge groups this yields first examples of integrals of such type. S-duality transformation for G_2 and F_4 SCIs is equivalent to a change of integration variables. Equality of SCIs for SP(2N) and SO(2N+1) group theories is proved in several important special cases. Reduction of SCIs to partition functions of 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ SYM theories with one matter field in the adjoint representation is investigated, correspondi…
We conjecture a closed-form expression for the Schur limit of the superconformal index of two infinite series of Argyres-Douglas (AD) superconformal field theories (SCFTs): the (A_1,A_{2n-3}) and the (A_1,D_{2n}) theories. While these SCFTs can be realized at special points on the Coulomb branch of certain N=2 gauge theories, their superconformal R symmetries are emergent, and hence their indices cannot be evaluated by localization. Instead, we construct the (A_1, A_{2n-3}) and (A_1, D_{2n}) indices by using a relation to two-dimensional q-deformed Yang-Mills theory and data from the class S c…
We calculate and study the general superconformal index for the 6d U(N) (2,0) theory with four chemical potentials, from the indices of gauge theories on CP^2 x R. Our index agrees with the large N supergravity index on AdS_7 x S^4 at low energies, and also yields the negative 'Casimir energy' with an N^3 scaling which was recently calculated from a QFT on S^5. Our approach also suggests a systematic study of the (1,0) superconformal indices.
We review aspects of superconformal indices in three dimension. Three dimensional superconformal indices can be exactly computed by using localization method including monopole contribution, and can be applied to provide evidences for mirror duality, AdS_4/CFT_3 correspondence and global symmetry enhancement of strongly coupled gauge theories. After reviewing, we discuss the possibility of global symmetry enhancement in a finite rank of gauge group.
We study the superconformal index of $\mathcal N=1$ quiver theories at large-$N$ for general values of electric charges and angular momenta, using both the Bethe Ansatz formulation and the more recent elliptic extension method. We are particularly interested in the case of unequal angular momenta, $J_1\ne J_2$, which has only been partially considered in the literature. We revisit the previous computation with the Bethe Ansatz formulation with generic angular momenta and extend it to encompass a large class of competing exponential terms. In the process, we also provide a simplified derivation…
Recently there was a substantial progress in understanding of supersymmetric theories (in particular, their BPS spectrum) in space-times of different dimensions due to the exact computation of superconformal indices and partition functions using localization method. Here we discuss a connection of 4d superconformal indices and 3d partition functions using a particular example of supersymmetric theories with matter in antisymmetric representation.
This is a brief account of relations between the theory of special functions, on the one side, and superconformal indices and Seiberg dualities of four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge field theories, on the other side.
Superconformal indices of 4d \N=1 SYM theories with SU(N) and SP(2N) gauge groups are investigated for N_f=N and N_f=N+1 flavors, respectively. These indices vanish for generic values of the flavor fugacities. However, for a singular submanifold of fugacities they behave like the Dirac delta functions and describe the chiral symmetry breaking phenomenon. Similar picture holds for partition functions of 3d supersymmetric field theories with the chiral symmetry breaking.
We review some recent developments in the 6 dimensional (2, 0) superconformal field theories, focusing on their BPS spectra in the Coulomb and symmetric phases computed by various Witten indices. We shall discuss the instanton partition function of 5d maximal super-Yang-Mills theory, and the 6d superconformal index.
Superconformal indices of 3d N=2 supersymmetric field theories are investigated from the Yang-Baxter equation point of view. Solutions of the star-triangle relation, vertex and IRF Yang-Baxter equations are expressed in terms of the q-special functions associated with these 3d indices. For a two-dimensional monopole-spin system on the square lattice a free energy per spin is explicitly determined. Similar to the partition functions, superconformal indices of 3d theories with the chiral symmetry breaking reduce to Dirac delta functions with the support on chemical potentials of the preserved fl…
The superconformal index of a three-dimensional supersymmetric field theory can be expressed in terms of basic hypergeometric integrals. By comparing the indices of dual theories, one can find new integral identities for basic hypergeometric integrals. Some of these integral identities have the form of the pentagon identity which can be interpreted as the 2-3 Pachner move for triangulated 3-manifolds.
We study biorthogonal functions related to basic hypergeometric integrals with coupled continuous and discrete components. Such integrals appear as superconformal indices for three-dimensional quantum field theories and also in the context of solvable lattice models. We obtain explicit biorthogonal systems given by products of two of Rahman's biorthogonal rational ${}_{10}W_9$-functions or their degenerate cases. We also give new bilateral extensions of the Jackson and $q$-Saalschütz summation formulas and new continuous and discrete biorthogonality measures for Rahman's functions.
We present a unifying theme relating BPS partition functions and superconformal indices. In the case with complex SUSY central charges (as in N=2 in d=4 and N=(2,2) in d=2) the known results can be reinterpreted as the statement that the BPS partition functions can be used to compute a specialization of the superconformal indices. We argue that in the case with real central charge in the supersymmetry algebra, as in N=1 in d=5 (or the N=2 in d=3), the BPS degeneracy captures the full superconformal index. Furthermore, we argue that refined topological strings, which captures 5d BPS degeneracie…
We probe the 3d-3d correspondence for mapping cylinder/torus using the superconformal index. We focus on the case when the fiber is a once-punctured torus (Σ_{1,1}). The corresponding 3d field theories can be realized using duality domain wall theories in 4d N=2* theory. We show that the superconformal indices of the 3d theories are the SL(2,C) Chern-Simons partition function on the mapping cylinder/torus. For the mapping torus, we also consider another realization of the corresponding 3d theory associated with ideal triangulation. The equality between the indices from the two descriptions for…
We consider the superconformal index of three-dimensional ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetric field theories computed via localization on $S^1\times S^2$. We systematically develop an expansion where the ratio of the radius of $S^1$ to the radius of $S^2$ is taken very small -- a Cardy-like expansion. We emphasize the sub-leading structures in this Cardy-like expansion as well as their interplay with the large-$N$ limit for theories with gauge group of the form product of $U(N)$ factors. We demonstrate that taking the large-$N$ limit first leads to an expression for the index that only includes terms …
In this note we classify the necessary and the sufficient conditions that an index of a superconformal theory in $3\leq d \leq 6$ must obey for the theory to have enhanced supersymmetry. We do that by noting that the index distinguishes a superconformal multiplet contribution to the index only up to a certain equivalence class it lies in. We classify the equivalence classes in $d=4$ and build a correspondence between ${\cal N} = 1$ and ${\cal N}>1$ equivalence classes. Using this correspondence, we find a set of necessary conditions and a sufficient condition on the $d=4$ ${\cal N} = 1$ index …
We show that an infinite family of N=6 d=3 superconformal Chern-Simons-matter theories has hidden N=8 superconformal symmetry and hidden parity on the quantum level. This family of theories is different from the one found by Aharony, Bergman, Jafferis and Maldacena, as well as from the theories constructed by Bagger and Lambert, and Gustavsson. We also test several conjectural dualities between BLG theories and ABJ theories by comparing superconformal indices of these theories.
Enhancement of global symmetry and supersymmetry in the infrared is one of the most intriguing phenomena in quantum field theory. We investigate such phenomena in a large class of three dimensional superconformal field theories, known as the S-fold SCFTs. Supersymmetric indices are computed for a number of theories containing small rank gauge groups. It is found that indices of several models exhibit enhancement of supersymmetry at the superconformal fixed point in the infrared. Dualities between S-fold theories that have different quiver descriptions are also analysed. We explore a new class …
We show that the smooth geometry of a hyperbolic 3-manifold emerges from a classical spin system defined on a 2d discrete lattice, and moreover show that the process of this "dimensional oxidation" is equivalent with the dimensional reduction of a supersymmetric gauge theory from 4d to 3d. More concretely, we propose an equality between (1) the 4d superconformal index of a 4d N=1 superconformal quiver gauge theory described by a bipartite graph on T^2 and the partition function of a classical integrable spin chain on T^2. The 2d spin system is lifted to a hyperbolic 3-manifold after the dimens…
We systematically study various sub-leading structures in the superconformal index of ${\cal N}=4$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with SU($N$) gauge group. We concentrate in the superconformal index description as a matrix model of elliptic gamma functions and in the Bethe-Ansatz presentation. Our saddle-point approximation goes beyond the Cardy-like limit and we uncover various saddles governed by a matrix model corresponding to SU($N$) Chern-Simons theory. The dominant saddle, however, leads to perfect agreement with the Bethe-Ansatz approach. We also determine the logarithmic correction t…
It is well-known that six-dimensional superconformal field theories can be exploited to unravel interesting features of lower-dimensional theories obtained via compactifications. In this short note we discuss a new application of 6d (2,0) theories in constructing 4d theories with Kramers-Wannier-like non-invertible symmetries. Our methods allow to recover previously known results, as well as to exhibit infinitely many new examples of four dimensional theories with "M-ality" defects (arising from operations of order $M$ generalizing dualities). In particular, we obtain examples of order $M=p^k$…
We derive a general formula of an index for three dimensional N=2 superconformal field theories with general R-charge assignments to chiral multiplets by using the localization method in S^2xS^1 background. As examples we compute the index for theories in a few mirror pairs, and confirm the agreement of the indices in each mirror pair.
Mandelstam Institute for Theoretical Physics, School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand（威特沃特斯兰德大学物理学院曼德尔斯坦理论物理研究所）；DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE-MaSS)（数学与统计科学卓越中心）；National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS)（理论与计算科学国家研究所）
We prove polynomial identities for the N=1 superconformal model SM(2,4ν) which generalize and extend the known Fermi/Bose character identities. Our proof uses the q-trinomial coefficients of Andrews and Baxter on the bosonic side and a recently introduced very general method of producing recursion relations for q-series on the fermionic side. We use these polynomials to demonstrate a dual relation under q \rightarrow q^{-1} between SM(2,4ν) and M(2ν-1,4ν). We also introduce a generalization of the Witten index which is expressible in terms of the Rogers false theta functions.
We propose a new duality between two 3d $\mathcal{N}=8$ superconformal Chern-Simons-matter theories: the $U(3)_1 \times U(3)_{-1}$ ABJM theory and a theory consisting of the product between the $\left(SU(2)_3\times SU(2)_{-3}\right)/\mathbb{Z}_2$ BLG theory and a free ${\cal N} = 8$ theory of eight real scalars and eight Majorana fermions. As evidence supporting this duality, we show that the moduli spaces, superconformal indices, $S^3$ partition functions, and certain OPE coefficients of BPS operators in the two theories agree.
