In this paper, we study $G$-equivariant tensor categories for a finite group $G$. These categories were introduced by Turaev under the name of $G$-crossed categories; the motivating example of such a category is the category of twisted modules over a vertex operator algebra $V$ with a finite group of automorphisms $G$. We discuss the notion of "orbifold quotient" of such a category (in the example above, this quotient is the category of modules over the subalgebra of invariants $V^G$). We introduce an extended Verlinde algebra for a $G$-equivariant tensor category and give a simple description of the Verlinde algebra of the orbifold category in terms of the extended Verlinde algebra of the original category.
We define an analog of $s,t$ matrices for the extended Verlinde algebra and show that if $s$ is invertible, then these matrices define an action of $SL_2(Z)$ on the extended Verlinde algebra. We also show that the $s$-matrix interchanges tensor product with a much simpler product ("convolution product"), which can be used to compute the tensor product multiplicities.
We define equivariantization of tensor categories under tensor group scheme actions and give necessary and sufficient conditions for an exact sequence of tensor categories to be an equivariantization under a finite group or finite group scheme action. We introduce the notion of central exact sequence of tensor categories and use it in order to present an alternative formulation of some known characterizations of equivariantizations for fusion categories, and to extend these characterizations to equivariantizations of finite tensor categories under finite group scheme actions. In particular, we…
Let G be a finite group. Given a finite G-set X and a modular tensor category C, we construct a weak G-equivariant fusion category, called the permutation equivariant tensor category. The construction is geometric and uses the formalism of modular functors. As an application, we concretely work out a complete set of structure morphisms for Z/2-permutation equivariant categories, finishing thereby a program we initiated in an earlier paper arXiv:0812.0986 [math.CT].
Based on a weak action of a finite group J on a finite group G, we present a geometric construction of J-equivariant Dijkgraaf-Witten theory as an extended topological field theory. The construction yields an explicitly accessible class of equivariant modular tensor categories. For the action of a group J on a group G, the category is described as the representation category of a J-ribbon algebra that generalizes the Drinfel'd double of the finite group G.
For a finite tensor category $\mathcal C$ and a Hopf monad $T:\mathcal C\to \mathcal C$ satisfying certain conditions we describe exact indecomposable left $\mathcal C^T$-module categories in terms of left $\mathcal C$-module categories and some extra data. We also give a 2-categorical interpretation of the process of equivariantization of module categories.
We extend categorical Morita equivalence to finite tensor categories graded by a finite group $G$. We show that two such categories are graded Morita equivalent if and only if their equivariant Drinfeld centers are equivalent as braided $G$-crossed tensor categories.
G-equivariant modular categories provide the input for a standard method to construct 3d homotopy field theories. Virelizier constructed a G-equivariant category from the action of a group G on a Hopf algebra H by Hopf algebra automorphisms. The neutral component of his category is the Drinfeld center of the category of H-modules. We generalize this construction to weak actions of a group G on an arbitrary monoidal category C by (possibly non-strict) monoidal auto-equivalences and obtain a G-equivariant category with neutral component the Drinfeld center of C.
We study actions of discrete groups on 2-categories. The motivating examples are actions on the 2-category of representations of finite tensor categories and their relation with the extension theory of tensor categories by groups. Associated to a group action on a 2-category, we construct the 2-category of equivariant objects. We also introduce the G-equivariant notions of pseudofunctor, pseudonatural transformation and modification. Our first main result is a coherence theorem for 2-categories with an action of a group. For a 2-category B with an action of a group G, we construct a braided G-…
In this paper, we study modular categories whose Galois group actions on their simple objects are transitive. We show that such modular categories admit unique factorization into prime transitive factors. The representations of $SL_2(\mathbb{Z})$ associated with transitive modular categories are proven to be minimal and irreducible. Together with the Verlinde formula, we characterize prime transitive modular categories as the Galois conjugates of the adjoint subcategory of the quantum group modular category $\mathcal{C}(\mathfrak{sl}_2,p-2)$ for some prime $p > 3$. As a consequence, we complet…
We first prove an analogue of Lagrange theorem for global dimensions of fusion categories, then we give a complete classifications of pre-modular fusion categories of integer global dimensions less than or equal to $10$.
We classify all modular categories of dimension $4m$, where $m$ is an odd square-free integer, and all ranks $6$ and $7$ weakly integral modular categories. This completes the classification of weakly integral modular categories through rank $7$. Our results imply that all integral modular categories of rank at most $7$ are pointed (that is, every simple object has dimension $1$). All strictly weakly integral (weakly integral but non-integral) modular categories of ranks $6$ and $7$ have dimension $4m$, with $m$ an odd square free integer, so their classification is an application of our main …
In this short note we investigate the process of constructing auto-equivalences of modular tensor categories using invertible objects. We derive conditions on the invertible object for the resulting auto-equivalence to be either monoidal, braided, or pivotal. We also discuss the composition of these auto-equivalences constructed from invertible objects. To demonstrate the practicality of this construction, we construct auto-equivalences of several real-world examples of modular tensor categories.
We classify indecomposable commutative separable (special Frobenius) algebras and their local modules in (untwisted) group-theoretical modular categories. This gives a description of modular invariants for group-theoretical modular data. As a bi-product we provide an answer to the question when (and in how many ways) two group-theoretical modular categories are equivalent as ribbon categories.
We give a characterization of finite pointed tensor categories obtained as de-equivariantizations of finite-dimensional pointed Hopf algebras over abelian groups only in terms of the (cohomology class of the) associator of the pointed part. As an application we prove that every coradically graded pointed finite braided tensor category is a de-equivariantization of a finite dimensional pointed Hopf algebras over an abelian group.
We develop abstract nonsense for module categories over monoidal categories (this is a straightforward categorification of modules over rings). As applications we show that any semisimple monoidal category with finitely many simple objects is equivalent to the category of representations of a weak Hopf algebra (theorem of T. Hayashi) and classify module categories over the fusion category of $\hat{sl}(2)$ at a positive integer level where we meet once again ADE classification pattern.
Modular tensor categories are generalizations of the representation categories of quantum groups at roots of unity axiomatizing the properties necessary to produce 3-dimensional TQFTs. Although other constructions have since been found, quantum groups remain the most prolific source. Recently proposed applications to quantum computing have provided an impetus to understand and describe these examples as explicitly as possible, especially those that are "physically feasible." We survey the current status of the problem of producing unitary modular tensor categories from quantum groups, emphasiz…
We investigate the equivariant and Hopf-cyclic cohomology of module algebras over Hopf algebroids and derive their Morita invariance. For this, we use the tools developed by McCarthy for $k$-linear categories and subsequently by Kaygun and Khalkhali for a certain class of categories, called as $H$-categories, for a Hopf algebra $H$.
Let $G$ be a finite subgroup in SU(2), and $Q$ the corresponding affine Dynkin diagram. In this paper, we review the relation between the categories of $G$-equivariant sheaves on $P^1$ and $Rep Q_h$, where $h$ is an orientation of $Q$, constructing an explicit equivalence of corresponding derived categories.
We study integral almost square-free modular categories; i.e., integral modular categories of Frobenius-Perron dimension $p^nm$, where $p$ is a prime number, $m$ is a square-free natural number and ${\rm gcd}(p,m)=1$. We prove that if $n\leq 5$ or $m$ is prime with $m<p$ then they are group-theoretical. This generalizes several results in the literature and gives a partial answer to the question posed by the first author and H. Tucker. As an application, we prove that an integral modular category whose Frobenius-Perron dimensions is odd and less than $1125$ is group-theoretical.
Let $p\geq5$ be a prime, we show that a non-pointed modular fusion category $\mathcal{C}$ is Grothendieck equivalent to $\mathcal{C}(\mathfrak{sl}_2,2(p-1))_A^0$ if and only if $\dim(\mathcal{C})=p\cdot u$, where $u$ is a certain totally positive algebraic unit and $A$ is the regular algebra of the Tannakian subcategory $\text{Rep}(\mathbb{Z}_2)\subseteq\mathcal{C}(\mathfrak{sl}_2,2(p-1))$. As a direct corollary, we classify non-simple modular fusion categories of global dimensions $p^2$.
We study properties of relative modular categories and derive sufficient conditions for their existence. In particular, we derive sufficient conditions for relative pre-modular categories to be non-degenerate and relative modular, and for the quotient of categories taking a particular form by their ideal of negligible modules to be generically semi-simple.
Arbitrarily many pairwise inequivalent modular categories can share the same modular data. We exhibit a family of examples that are module categories over twisted Drinfeld doubles of finite groups, and thus in particular integral modular categories.
We propose the notion of a supercategory as an alternative approach to supermathematics. We show that this setting is rich to carry out many of the basic constructions of supermathematics. We also prove generalizations of a number of results in equivariant cohomology, including the Chern-Weil theorem for an arbitrary rigid Lie algebra object. For a quadratic Lie algebra object we obtain a proof of the Duflo isomorphism along the lines of Alekseev-Meinrenken, thereby generalizing their result to Lie superalgebras.
Modular categories are important algebraic structures in a variety of subjects in mathematics and physics. We provide an explicit, motivated and elementary definition of a modular category over a field of characteristic 0 as an equivalence class of solutions to a set of polynomial equations. We conclude that within each class of solutions, there is one which consists entirely of algebraic numbers. These algebraic solutions make it possible to discuss defining algebraic number fields of modular categories and their Galois twists. One motivation for such a definition is an arithmetic theory of m…
We pursue a classification of low-rank super-modular categories parallel to that of modular categories. We classify all super-modular categories up to rank=$6$, and spin modular categories up to rank=$11$. In particular, we show that, up to fusion rules, there is exactly one non-split super-modular category of rank $2,4$ and $6$, namely $PSU(2)_{4k+2}$ for $k=0,1$ and $2$. This classification is facilitated by adapting and extending well-known constraints from modular categories to super-modular categories, such as Verlinde and Frobenius-Schur indicator formulae.
In this paper, we extend the notion of modular functor and fusion category to what we called $G$ equivariant modular functor and $G$ equivariant fusion category, where $G$ is a finite group, and establish a correspondence between between these notions.
For any finite group G with a finite G-set X and a modular tensor category C we construct a part of the algebraic structure of an associated G-equivariant monoidal category: For any group element g in G we exhibit the module category structure of the g-component over the trivial component. This uses the formalism of permutation equivariant modular functors that was worked out in arXiv:1004.1825. As an application we show that the corresponding modular invariant partition function is given by permutation by g.
We establish a set of general results to study how the Galois action on modular tensor categories interacts with fusion subcategories. This includes a characterization of fusion subcategories of modular tensor categories which are closed under the Galois action, and a classifcation of modular tensor categories which factor as a product of pointed and transitive categories in terms of pseudoinvertible objects. As an application, we classify modular tensor categories with two Galois orbits of simple objects and a nontrivial grading group.
A Mackey type decomposition for group actions on abelian categories is described. This allows us to define new Mackey functors which associates to any subgroup the $K$-theory of the corresponding equivariantized abelian category. In the case of an action by tensor autoequivalences the Mackey functor at the level of Grothendieck rings has a Green functor structure. As an application we give a description of the Grothendieck rings of equivariantized fusion categories under group actions by tensor autoequivalences on graded fusion categories.
We obtain a classification of metaplectic modular categories: every metaplectic modular category is a gauging of the particle-hole symmetry of a cyclic modular category. Our classification suggests a conjecture that every weakly-integral modular category can be obtained by gauging a symmetry of a pointed modular category.
The feasibility of a classification-by-rank program for modular categories follows from the Rank-Finiteness Theorem. We develop arithmetic, representation theoretic and algebraic methods for classifying modular categories by rank. As an application, we determine all possible fusion rules for all rank=$5$ modular categories and describe the corresponding monoidal equivalence classes.
In this paper, we continue with the ideas presented in [GVR17]. In this opportunity, we apply the fermionic action concept to classify in cohomology terms the minimal modular extensions of a super-Tannakian category. For this goal, we study some properties of equivariantization and de-equivariantization processes and cohomology data for the fermionic case.
We develop categorical and number theoretical tools for the classification of super-modular categories. We apply these tools to obtain a partial classification of super-modular categories of rank $8$. In particular we find three distinct families of prime categories in rank $8$ in contrast to the lower rank cases for which there is only one such family.
We develop a symbolic computational approach to classifying low-rank modular categories. We use this technique to classify pseudo-unitary modular categories of rank at most 5 that are non-self-dual, i.e. those for which some object is not isomorphic to its dual object.
We determine the fusion rules of the equivariantization of a fusion category $\mathcal{C}$ under the action of a finite group $G$ in terms of the fusion rules of $\mathcal{C}$ and group-theoretical data associated to the group action. As an application we obtain a formula for the fusion rules in an equivariantization of a pointed fusion category in terms of group-theoretical data. This entails a description of the fusion rules in any braided group-theoretical fusion category.
We construct four series of modular categories from the two-variable Kauffman polynomial, without use of the representation theory of quantum groups at roots of unity. The specializations of this polynomial corresponding to quantum groups of types B, C and D produce series of pre-modular categories. One of them turns out to be modular and three others satisfy Bruguières' modularization criterion. For these four series we compute the Verlinde formulas, and discuss spin and cohomological refinements.
In this paper we follow the constructions of Turaev's book [Tu] closely, but with small modifications, to construct of a modular functor, in the sense of Kevin Walker, from any modular tensor category. We further show that this modular functor has duality and if the modular tensor category category is Hermitian or unitary, then the resulting modular functor is also Hermitian or unitary respectively.
We study spin and super-modular categories systematically as inspired by fermionic topological phases of matter, which are always fermion parity enriched and modelled by spin TQFTs at low energy. We formulate a $16$-fold way conjecture for the minimal modular extensions of super-modular categories to spin modular categories, which is a categorical formulation of gauging the fermion parity. We investigate general properties of super-modular categories such as fermions in twisted Drinfeld doubles, Verlinde formulas for naive quotients, and explicit extensions of $PSU(2)_{4m+2}$ with an eye towar…
We give a complete classification of modular categories of dimension $p^3m$ where $p$ is prime and $m$ is a square-free integer. When $p$ is odd, all such categories are pointed. For $p=2$ one encounters modular categories with the same fusion ring as orthogonal quantum groups at certain roots of unity, namely $SO(2m)_2$. As an immediate step we classify a more general class of so-called even metaplectic modular categories with the same fusion rules as $SO(2N)_2$ with $N$ odd.
A super-modular category is a unitary pre-modular category with Müger center equivalent to the symmetric unitary category of super-vector spaces. Super-modular categories are important alternatives to modular categories as any unitary pre-modular category is the equivariantization of a either a modular or super-modular category. Physically, super-modular categories describe universal properties of quasiparticles in fermionic topological phases of matter. In general one does not have a representation of the modular group $\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z})$ associated to a super-modular category, but it…
We show that the equivariant hypertoric convolution algebras introduced by Braden-Licata-Proudfoot-Webster are affine quasi hereditary in the sense of Kleshchev and compute the Ext groups between standard modules. Together with the main result of arXiv:2009.03981, this implies a number of new homological results about the bordered Floer algebras of Ozsvath-Szabo, including the existence of standard modules over these algebras. We prove that the Ext groups between standard modules are isomorphic to the homology of a variant of the Lipshitz-Ozsvath-Thurston bordered strands dg algebras.
It is known that finite crossed modules provide premodular tensor categories. These categories are in fact modularizable. We construct the modularization and show that it is equivalent to the module category of a finite Drinfeld double.
A geometric construction of Z_2-graded orthogonal modular categories is given. Their 0-graded parts coincide with categories previously obtained by Blanchet and the author from the category of tangles modulo the Kauffman skein relations. Quantum dimensions and twist coefficients for 1-graded simple objects (spinors) are calculated. We show that our even orthogonal modular categories admit cohomological refinements and the odd orthogonal ones lead to spin refinements. The relation with the quantum group approach is discussed.
We show that once-extended anomalous 3-dimensional topological quantum field theories valued in the 2-category of k-linear categories are in canonical bijection with modular tensor categories equipped with a square root of the global dimension in each factor.
Integral modular categories of Frobenius-Perron dimension $pq^n$, where $p$ and $q$ are primes, are considered. It is already known that such categories are group-theoretical in the cases of $0 \leq n \leq 4$. In the general case we determine that these categories are either group theoretical or contain a Tannakian subcategory of dimension $q^i$ for $i>1$. We then show that all integral modular categories $\mathcal{C}$ with $\mathrm{FPdim}(\mathcal{C})=pq^5$ are group-theoretical, and, if in addition $p<q$, all with $\mathrm{FPdim}(\mathcal{C})=pq^6$ or $pq^7$ are group-theoretical. In the pro…
Pursuing a generalization of group symmetries of modular categories to category symmetries in topological phases of matter, we study linear Hopf monads. The main goal is a generalization of extension and gauging group symmetries to category symmetries of modular categories, which include also categorical Hopf algebras as special cases. As an application, we propose an analogue of the classification of finite simple groups to modular categories, where we define simple modular categories as the prime ones without any nontrivial normal algebras.
We prove a rank-finiteness conjecture for modular categories: up to equivalence, there are only finitely many modular categories of any fixed rank. Our technical advance is a generalization of the Cauchy theorem in group theory to the context of spherical fusion categories. For a modular category $\mathcal{C}$ with $N=ord(T)$, the order of the modular $T$-matrix, the Cauchy theorem says that the set of primes dividing the global quantum dimension $D^2$ in the Dedekind domain $\mathbb{Z}[e^{\frac{2πi}{N}}]$ is identical to that of $N$.
It is a well-known result of Etingof, Nikshych and Ostrik that there are finitely many inequivalent integral modular categories of any fixed rank $n$. This follows from a double-exponential bound on the maximal denominator in an Egyptian fraction representation of 1. A naïve computer search approach to the classification of rank $n$ integral modular categories using this bound quickly overwhelms the computer's memory (for $n\geq 7$). We use a modified strategy: find general conditions on modular categories that imply integrality and study the classification problem in these limited settings. T…
We study novel invariants of modular categories that are beyond the modular data, with an eye towards a simple set of complete invariants for modular categories. Our focus is on the $W$-matrix--the quantum invariant of a colored framed Whitehead link from the associated TQFT of a modular category. We prove that the $W$-matrix and the set of punctured $S$-matrices are strictly beyond the modular data $(S,T)$. Whether or not the triple $(S,T,W)$ constitutes a complete invariant of modular categories remains an open question.
Modular Tensor Categories (MTC's) arise in the study of certain condensed matter systems. There is an ongoing program to classify MTC's of low rank, up to modular data. We present an overview of the methods to classify modular tensor categories of low rank, applied to the specific case of a rank 6 category with Galois group $\langle(012)(345)\rangle$, and show that certain symmetries in this case imply nonunitarizable (hence, nonphysical) MTC's. We show that all the rank 6 MTC's with this Galois group have modular data conjugate to either the product of the semion category with $(A_1, 5)_{\fra…
