A SymTFT for continuous symmetries

Abstract

Abstract Symmetry is a powerful tool for studying dynamics in QFT: it provides selection rules, constrains RG flows, and often simplifies analysis. Currently, our understanding is that the most general form of symmetry is described by categorical symmetries which can be realized via Symmetry TQFTs or “SymTFTs”. In this paper, we show how the framework of the SymTFT, which is understood for discrete symmetries (i.e. finite categorical symmetries), can be generalized to continuous symmetries. In addition to demonstrating how U(1) global symmetries can be incorporated into the paradigm of the SymTFT, we apply our formalism to study cubic U(1) anomalies in 4d QFTs, describe the ℚ/ℤ non-invertible chiral symmetry in 4d theories, and conjecture the SymTFT for general continuous G (0) global symmetries.

Keywords

• Global Symmetries
• Topological Field Theories
• Anomalies in Field and String Theories