Topological Quantum Field Theory, Nonlocal Operators, and Gapped Phases of Gauge Theories
- Creators
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Gukov, Sergei
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Kapustin, Anton
Abstract
We revisit the role of loop and surface operators as order parameters for gapped phases of four-dimensional gauge theories. We show that in some cases surface operators are confined, and that this fact can be used to distinguish phases which are not distinguished by the Wilson-'t Hooft criterion. The long-distance behavior of loop and surface operators which are neither confined nor screened is controlled by a 4d TQFT. We construct these TQFTs for phases which are characterized by the presence of electrically and/or magnetically charged condensates. Interestingly, the TQFT describing a phase with a nonabelian monopole condensate is based on the theory of nonabelian gerbes. We also show that in phases with a dyonic condensate the low-energy theta-angle is quantized.
Additional Information
We are grateful to Nathan Seiberg for a collaboration during various stages of this project and to Gregory Moore for a discussion. This work was supported in part by the DOE grant DE-FG02-92ER40701 and by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. PHYS-1066293 and the hospitality of the Aspen Center for Physics.Attached Files
Submitted - 1307.4793.pdf
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 66613
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20160503-094901740
- DE-FG02-92ER40701
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- PHY-1066293
- NSF
- Created
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2016-05-03Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2023-06-02Created from EPrint's last_modified field