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ICTP Lectures on (Non-)Invertible Generalized Symmetries

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abstract

What comprises a global symmetry of a Quantum Field Theory (QFT) has been vastly expanded in the past 10 years to include not only symmetries acting on higher-dimensional defects, but also most recently symmetries which do not have an inverse. The principle that enables this generalization is the identification of symmetries with topological defects in the QFT. In these lectures, we provide an introduction to generalized symmetries, with a focus on non-invertible symmetries. We begin with a brief overview of invertible generalized symmetries, including higher-form and higher-group symmetries, and then move on to non-invertible symmetries. The main idea that underlies many constructions of non-invertible symmetries is that of stacking a QFT with topological QFTs (TQFTs) and then gauging a diagonal non-anomalous global symmetry. The TQFTs become topological defects in the gauged theory called (twisted) theta defects and comprise a large class of non-invertible symmetries including condensation defects, self-duality defects, and non-invertible symmetries of gauge theories with disconnected gauge groups. We will explain the general principle and provide numerous concrete examples. Following this extensive characterization of symmetry generators, we then discuss their action on higher-charges, i.e. extended physical operators. As we will explain, even for invertible higher-form symmetries these are not only representations of the $p$-form symmetry group, but more generally what are called higher-representations. Finally, we give an introduction to the Symmetry Topological Field Theory (SymTFT) and its utility in characterizing symmetries, their gauging and generalized charges. Lectures prepared for the ICTP Trieste Spring School, April 2023.

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representative citing papers

Lattice Realizations of Flat Gauging and T-duality Defects at Any Radius

hep-th · 2026-04-10 · unverdicted · novelty 8.0

Modified Villain lattice realizations of flat-gauged interfaces and T-duality defects in the 2D compact boson are constructed at arbitrary radii, yielding non-compact edge modes with continuous spectrum and infinite quantum dimension.

Non-Invertible Anyon Condensation and Level-Rank Dualities

hep-th · 2023-12-26 · unverdicted · novelty 8.0

New dualities in 3d TQFTs are derived via non-invertible anyon condensation, generalizing level-rank dualities and providing new presentations for parafermion theories, c=1 orbifolds, and SU(2)_N.

Twin Algebras: Condensable Algebras beyond Anyons

cond-mat.str-el · 2026-05-29 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Twin condensable algebras are introduced as condensable algebras with identical anyon decompositions but inequivalent algebra structures, yielding distinct symmetric phases in group-theoretical topological orders.

A Twist on Scattering from Defect Anomalies

hep-th · 2026-05-13 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Defect 't Hooft anomalies trap charges at symmetry-line junctions and thereby drive categorical scattering into twist operators.

Anomalies in Neural Network Field Theory

hep-th · 2026-05-12 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Derives Schwinger-Dyson equations and Ward identities in NN-FT to study anomalies in QFTs via a conserved parameter-space current, yielding a new perspective on symmetries.

Sharpened Dynamical Cobordism

hep-th · 2026-05-07 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Sharpened Dynamical Cobordism ties the allowed range of critical exponent δ to theory structure ξ, flagging obstructions from non-trivial cobordism charges that require new degrees of freedom.

SymTFT in Superspace

hep-th · 2026-04-16 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

A supersymmetric SymTFT (SuSymTFT) is constructed as a super-BF theory on (n|m)-dimensional supermanifolds and verified for compact and chiral super-bosons in two dimensions.

Hilbert Space Fragmentation from Generalized Symmetries

hep-lat · 2026-04-14 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Generalized symmetries generate exponentially many Krylov sectors in quantum many-body systems, showing that Hilbert space fragmentation does not by itself imply ergodicity breaking.

A General Prescription for Spurion Analysis of Non-Invertible Selection Rules

hep-ph · 2026-04-10 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

A general prescription is formulated for spurion analysis of commutative non-invertible fusion algebras in particle physics, unifying prior specific cases and enabling systematic tracking of coupling constants in tree- and loop-level processes without requiring faithful realization or exclusive use.

Lattice chiral symmetry from bosons in 3+1d

hep-th · 2026-04-07 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

A bosonic lattice model realizes exact chiral symmetry and its anomaly in 3+1d, with the continuum limit a compact boson theory with axion-like coupling.

The Line, the Strip and the Duality Defect

hep-th · 2026-02-03 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Condensation defects in SymTFT descriptions of XY-plaquette and XYZ-cube models realize non-invertible self-duality symmetries at any coupling, with a continuous SO(2) version in the XY-plaquette.

SymTFT construction of gapless exotic-foliated dual models

cond-mat.str-el · 2025-04-15 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Develops a Mille-feuille SymTFT construction that generates foliated and exotic dual bulk theories realizing gapless boundary models with spontaneous continuous subsystem symmetry breaking, including duals of the XY plaquette and XYZ cube models.

de Sitter Vacua & pUniverses

hep-th · 2026-05-04 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

The p-Schwinger model on de Sitter space supports p distinct de Sitter-invariant vacua that are Hadamard, and coupling a multi-flavor version to gravity yields a semiclassical de Sitter saddle at large N_f.

Categorical Symmetries via Operator Algebras

hep-th · 2026-04-28 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

The symmetry category of a 2D QFT with G-symmetry and anomaly k equals the twisted Hilbert space category Hilb^k(G), whose Drinfeld center is the twisted representation category of the conjugation groupoid C*-algebra, enabling braiding computations in the 3D SymTFT.

Candidate Gaugings of Categorical Continuous Symmetry

hep-th · 2026-04-28 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

Candidate modular invariants and gaugings for continuous G-symmetries with anomaly k are obtained from +1 eigenspaces of semiclassical modular kernels in a BF+kCS SymTFT model.

citing papers explorer

Showing 40 of 40 citing papers.

  • Lattice Realizations of Flat Gauging and T-duality Defects at Any Radius hep-th · 2026-04-10 · unverdicted · none · ref 5 · internal anchor

    Modified Villain lattice realizations of flat-gauged interfaces and T-duality defects in the 2D compact boson are constructed at arbitrary radii, yielding non-compact edge modes with continuous spectrum and infinite quantum dimension.

  • Non-Invertible Anyon Condensation and Level-Rank Dualities hep-th · 2023-12-26 · unverdicted · none · ref 25 · internal anchor

    New dualities in 3d TQFTs are derived via non-invertible anyon condensation, generalizing level-rank dualities and providing new presentations for parafermion theories, c=1 orbifolds, and SU(2)_N.

  • Twin Phases: Phase Transitions Without Hidden Symmetry Breaking cond-mat.str-el · 2026-05-29 · unverdicted · none · ref 11 · internal anchor

    Twin phases are inequivalent phases sharing a generalized charge under symmetry S, enabling stable direct transitions without spontaneous symmetry breaking even after gauging.

  • Twin Algebras: Condensable Algebras beyond Anyons cond-mat.str-el · 2026-05-29 · unverdicted · none · ref 21 · internal anchor

    Twin condensable algebras are introduced as condensable algebras with identical anyon decompositions but inequivalent algebra structures, yielding distinct symmetric phases in group-theoretical topological orders.

  • Stringy T-duality on the lattice and the twisted Villain model hep-th · 2026-05-19 · unverdicted · none · ref 47 · internal anchor

    Introduces the twisted Villain model to realize exact T-duality on the lattice for fibred manifolds, recovering bundle-flux exchange and defining topological defects via half-gauging.

  • Non-invertible Symmetries in Weyl Fermions, and Applications to Fermion-Boundary Scattering Problem hep-th · 2026-05-19 · unverdicted · none · ref 5 · internal anchor

    Constructs a family of non-invertible topological defects in n Weyl fermion theories via unfolding of G-symmetric boundary conditions for Dirac fermions, with explicit descriptions for U(1)^n and applications to fermion-boundary scattering.

  • Non-Invertible Symmetries on Tensor-Product Hilbert Spaces and Quantum Cellular Automata cond-mat.str-el · 2026-05-14 · unverdicted · none · ref 3 · internal anchor

    Any weakly integral fusion category admits a QCA-refined realization on tensor-product Hilbert spaces with QCA and symmetry indices fixed by the categorical data under defect assumptions.

  • A Twist on Scattering from Defect Anomalies hep-th · 2026-05-13 · unverdicted · none · ref 30 · internal anchor

    Defect 't Hooft anomalies trap charges at symmetry-line junctions and thereby drive categorical scattering into twist operators.

  • Anomalies in Neural Network Field Theory hep-th · 2026-05-12 · unverdicted · none · ref 40 · internal anchor

    Derives Schwinger-Dyson equations and Ward identities in NN-FT to study anomalies in QFTs via a conserved parameter-space current, yielding a new perspective on symmetries.

  • Sharpened Dynamical Cobordism hep-th · 2026-05-07 · unverdicted · none · ref 24 · internal anchor

    Sharpened Dynamical Cobordism ties the allowed range of critical exponent δ to theory structure ξ, flagging obstructions from non-trivial cobordism charges that require new degrees of freedom.

  • SymTFT in Superspace hep-th · 2026-04-16 · unverdicted · none · ref 2 · internal anchor

    A supersymmetric SymTFT (SuSymTFT) is constructed as a super-BF theory on (n|m)-dimensional supermanifolds and verified for compact and chiral super-bosons in two dimensions.

  • Hilbert Space Fragmentation from Generalized Symmetries hep-lat · 2026-04-14 · unverdicted · none · ref 36 · internal anchor

    Generalized symmetries generate exponentially many Krylov sectors in quantum many-body systems, showing that Hilbert space fragmentation does not by itself imply ergodicity breaking.

  • A General Prescription for Spurion Analysis of Non-Invertible Selection Rules hep-ph · 2026-04-10 · unverdicted · none · ref 10 · internal anchor

    A general prescription is formulated for spurion analysis of commutative non-invertible fusion algebras in particle physics, unifying prior specific cases and enabling systematic tracking of coupling constants in tree- and loop-level processes without requiring faithful realization or exclusive use.

  • Lattice chiral symmetry from bosons in 3+1d hep-th · 2026-04-07 · unverdicted · none · ref 21 · internal anchor

    A bosonic lattice model realizes exact chiral symmetry and its anomaly in 3+1d, with the continuum limit a compact boson theory with axion-like coupling.

  • On Lagrangians of Non-abelian Dijkgraaf-Witten Theories hep-th · 2026-04-02 · unverdicted · none · ref 18 · internal anchor

    A gauging method from abelian Dijkgraaf-Witten theories yields BF-type Lagrangians for non-abelian cases via local-coefficient cohomologies and homotopy analysis.

  • The Line, the Strip and the Duality Defect hep-th · 2026-02-03 · unverdicted · none · ref 3 · internal anchor

    Condensation defects in SymTFT descriptions of XY-plaquette and XYZ-cube models realize non-invertible self-duality symmetries at any coupling, with a continuous SO(2) version in the XY-plaquette.

  • SymTFT construction of gapless exotic-foliated dual models cond-mat.str-el · 2025-04-15 · unverdicted · none · ref 3 · internal anchor

    Develops a Mille-feuille SymTFT construction that generates foliated and exotic dual bulk theories realizing gapless boundary models with spontaneous continuous subsystem symmetry breaking, including duals of the XY plaquette and XYZ cube models.

  • Defect Charges, Gapped Boundary Conditions, and the Symmetry TFT hep-th · 2024-08-02 · unverdicted · none · ref 6 · internal anchor

    Defect charges under generalized symmetries correspond one-to-one with gapped boundary conditions of the Symmetry TFT Z(C) on Y = Σ_{d-p+1} × S^{p-1} via dimensional reduction.

  • Lattice Models for Phases and Transitions with Non-Invertible Symmetries cond-mat.str-el · 2024-05-09 · unverdicted · none · ref 16 · internal anchor

    A method is given to construct UV anyonic chain lattice models from SymTFT data realizing IR phases and transitions with non-invertible symmetries, illustrated with Rep(S3).

  • de Sitter Vacua & pUniverses hep-th · 2026-05-04 · unverdicted · none · ref 81 · internal anchor

    The p-Schwinger model on de Sitter space supports p distinct de Sitter-invariant vacua that are Hadamard, and coupling a multi-flavor version to gravity yields a semiclassical de Sitter saddle at large N_f.

  • Categorical Symmetries via Operator Algebras hep-th · 2026-04-28 · unverdicted · none · ref 17 · internal anchor

    The symmetry category of a 2D QFT with G-symmetry and anomaly k equals the twisted Hilbert space category Hilb^k(G), whose Drinfeld center is the twisted representation category of the conjugation groupoid C*-algebra, enabling braiding computations in the 3D SymTFT.

  • Candidate Gaugings of Categorical Continuous Symmetry hep-th · 2026-04-28 · unverdicted · none · ref 18 · internal anchor

    Candidate modular invariants and gaugings for continuous G-symmetries with anomaly k are obtained from +1 eigenspaces of semiclassical modular kernels in a BF+kCS SymTFT model.

  • Generalised Symmetries and Swampland-Type Constraints from Charge Quantisation via Rational Homotopy Theory hep-th · 2026-04-24 · unverdicted · none · ref 32 · internal anchor

    Refines charge quantization via homotopy type A whose homotopy groups classify brane charges and homology groups classify higher-form symmetries, deriving swampland-like constraints that rule out noncompact gauge groups and non-nilpotent Lie algebras for field strengths.

  • Automorphism in Gauge Theories: Higher Symmetries and Transversal Non-Clifford Logical Gates cond-mat.str-el · 2025-11-19 · unverdicted · none · ref 21 · internal anchor

    Automorphisms of gauge groups extend to higher or non-invertible symmetries in topological gauge theories and enable transversal non-Clifford gates in 2+1d Z_N qudit Clifford stabilizer models for N greater than or equal to 3.

  • Modulated symmetries from generalized Lieb-Schultz-Mattis anomalies cond-mat.str-el · 2025-10-21 · unverdicted · none · ref 13 · internal anchor

    Spatially modulated symmetries arise from gauging ordinary symmetries under generalized LSM anomalies, with explicit lattice models in 2D and 3D plus field-theoretic descriptions in arbitrary dimensions that connect to higher-group structures.

  • From gauging to duality in one-dimensional quantum lattice models cond-mat.str-el · 2025-09-26 · unverdicted · none · ref 67 · internal anchor

    Gauging and duality transformations are equivalent up to constant depth quantum circuits in one-dimensional quantum lattice models, demonstrated via matrix product operators.

  • Spurion Analysis for Non-Invertible Selection Rules from Near-Group Fusions hep-ph · 2025-08-20 · unverdicted · none · ref 13 · internal anchor

    Generalizes spurion analysis to non-invertible near-group fusion algebras, introduces coupling labels, and explains radiative violation of tree-level selection rules.

  • Zee models with a non-invertible $Z_M$ symmetry hep-ph · 2026-05-22 · unverdicted · none · ref 21 · internal anchor

    Zee models are classified under non-invertible Z_M symmetries; viable candidates are identified from data consistency, and a Z_7 benchmark yields numerical predictions for neutrino parameters and CLFV rates.

  • Fusion of Integrable Defects and the Defect $g$-Function hep-th · 2026-05-20 · unverdicted · none · ref 31 · internal anchor

    Derives additivity and fusion rules for defect g-functions in integrable 2D QFT, with effective amplitudes for non-topological cases and lowered entropy contribution in Ising non-topological fusion.

  • Non-Invertible Symmetries in Compactified Supergravities hep-th · 2026-05-15 · unverdicted · none · ref 7 · internal anchor

    Non-invertible symmetry defects from 11D supergravity descend to Type IIA, splitting the Bianchi sector into invertible H[3] and twisted non-invertible F[4] parts with a BF-type auxiliary sector.

  • Lattice Topological Defects in Non-Unitary Conformal Field Theories hep-th · 2026-04-28 · unverdicted · none · ref 6 · internal anchor

    Lattice realizations of topological defects in non-unitary 2D CFTs are built from modified RSOS models, yielding numerical results that match analytical predictions for spectra and RG flows.

  • Monodromy Defects for Electric-Magnetic Duality, Hyperbolic Space, and Lines hep-th · 2026-04-16 · unverdicted · none · ref 19 · internal anchor

    Monodromy defects in Maxwell theory are analyzed via mapping to hyperbolic space, recovering the defect primary spectrum and showing that Wilson/'t Hooft lines terminate on defects, become decomposable, and follow Chern-Simons topological behavior.

  • Defects in N=1 minimal models and RG flows hep-th · 2026-01-07 · unverdicted · none · ref 1 · internal anchor

    Topological defects constrain the allowed RG flows of N=1 superconformal minimal models, first via a bosonic coset description and then for the full superconformal case.

  • Global symmetries: locality, unitarity, and regularity hep-th · 2025-11-14 · unverdicted · none · ref 6 · internal anchor

    Authors introduce an observable measuring non-locality properties of symmetry operators that encodes fusion algebra information for a class of examples in QFT.

  • Strong-to-weak spontaneous symmetry breaking of higher-form non-invertible symmetries in Kitaev's quantum double model quant-ph · 2025-09-29 · unverdicted · none · ref 8 · internal anchor

    Decohered non-Abelian Kitaev quantum double states exhibit strong-to-weak spontaneous symmetry breaking of non-invertible higher-form symmetries and form an information convex set whose dimension equals the pure-state ground-state degeneracy.

  • What's Done Cannot Be Undone: TASI Lectures on Non-Invertible Symmetries hep-th · 2023-08-01 · unverdicted · none · ref 143 · internal anchor

    A survey of non-invertible symmetries with constructions in the Ising model and applications to neutral pion decay and other systems.

  • Lectures on Generalized Symmetries hep-th · 2023-07-14 · unverdicted · none · ref 1 · internal anchor

    Lecture notes that systematically introduce higher-form symmetries, SymTFTs, higher-group symmetries, and related concepts in QFT using gauge theory examples.

  • From Baby Universes to Narain Moduli: Topological Boundary Averaging in SymTFTs hep-th · 2026-05-07 · unreviewed · ref 76 · internal anchor
  • Half-Spacetime Gauging of 2-Group Symmetry in 3d hep-th · 2026-05-07 · unreviewed · ref 2 · internal anchor
  • Generalized Families of QFTs hep-th · 2026-02-09 · unreviewed · ref 41 · internal anchor