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Notes on generalized global symmetries in QFT

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abstract

It was recently argued that quantum field theories possess one-form and higher-form symmetries, labelled `generalized global symmetries.' In this paper, we describe how those higher-form symmetries can be understood mathematically as special cases of more general 2-groups and higher groups, and discuss examples of quantum field theories admitting actions of more general higher groups than merely one-form and higher-form symmetries. We discuss analogues of topological defects for some of these higher symmetry groups, relating some of them to ordinary topological defects. We also discuss topological defects in cases in which the moduli `space' (technically, a stack) admits an action of a higher symmetry group. Finally, we outline a proposal for how certain anomalies might potentially be understood as describing a transmutation of an ordinary group symmetry of the classical theory into a 2-group or higher group symmetry of the quantum theory, which we link to WZW models and bosonization.

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representative citing papers

Symmetry TFTs from String Theory

hep-th · 2021-12-03 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Constructs Symmetry TFTs for M-theory compactifications by reducing the topological sector of 11d supergravity on the boundary of X using differential cohomology, with applications to 7d SYM and 5d SCFTs confirmed via IIB 5-brane webs.

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.

Quiver Approach to Symmetry Theories

hep-th · 2026-05-28 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

An algebraic method using the path algebra of quivers extracts symmetry anomaly data for 5D SCFTs engineered from M-theory on Calabi-Yau cones.

Double fibration in G-theory and the cobordism conjecture

hep-th · 2026-05-11 · unverdicted · novelty 5.0

In G-theory motivated Type IIB compactifications with varying fields, End of the World branes trivialize a cohomology class and additional non-perturbative objects are required to cancel the bordism group while retaining the class as a subgroup.

ICTP Lectures on (Non-)Invertible Generalized Symmetries

hep-th · 2023-05-29 · accept · novelty 2.0

Lecture notes explain non-invertible generalized symmetries in QFTs as topological defects arising from stacking with TQFTs and gauging diagonal symmetries, plus their action on charges and the SymTFT framework.

Lectures on Generalized Symmetries

hep-th · 2023-07-14 · unverdicted · novelty 1.0

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

citing papers explorer

Showing 10 of 10 citing papers.

  • Lattice Gauging Interfaces and Noninvertible Defects in Higher Dimensions cond-mat.str-el · 2026-05-12 · unverdicted · none · ref 2 · internal anchor

    Explicit lattice constructions of gauging interfaces and condensation defects are given for higher-dimensional systems with higher-form symmetries, using movement operators to manage constrained Hilbert spaces.

  • Symmetry TFTs from String Theory hep-th · 2021-12-03 · unverdicted · none · ref 2 · internal anchor

    Constructs Symmetry TFTs for M-theory compactifications by reducing the topological sector of 11d supergravity on the boundary of X using differential cohomology, with applications to 7d SYM and 5d SCFTs confirmed via IIB 5-brane webs.

  • Anomalies in Neural Network Field Theory hep-th · 2026-05-12 · unverdicted · none · ref 38

    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.

  • Quiver Approach to Symmetry Theories hep-th · 2026-05-28 · unverdicted · none · ref 2 · internal anchor

    An algebraic method using the path algebra of quivers extracts symmetry anomaly data for 5D SCFTs engineered from M-theory on Calabi-Yau cones.

  • 3-Crossed Module Structure in the Five-Dimensional Topological Axion Electrodynamics hep-th · 2026-02-13 · unverdicted · none · ref 17 · internal anchor

    The five-dimensional topological axion electrodynamics is shown to possess a 3-crossed module structure through modified Stueckelberg couplings required for background gauge invariance.

  • Double fibration in G-theory and the cobordism conjecture hep-th · 2026-05-11 · unverdicted · none · ref 4

    In G-theory motivated Type IIB compactifications with varying fields, End of the World branes trivialize a cohomology class and additional non-perturbative objects are required to cancel the bordism group while retaining the class as a subgroup.

  • ICTP Lectures on (Non-)Invertible Generalized Symmetries hep-th · 2023-05-29 · accept · none · ref 93 · internal anchor

    Lecture notes explain non-invertible generalized symmetries in QFTs as topological defects arising from stacking with TQFTs and gauging diagonal symmetries, plus their action on charges and the SymTFT framework.

  • Snowmass White Paper: Generalized Symmetries in Quantum Field Theory and Beyond hep-th · 2022-05-19 · unverdicted · none · ref 25 · internal anchor

    This review summarizes transformative examples of generalized symmetries in QFT and their applications to anomalies and dynamics.

  • Lectures on Generalized Symmetries hep-th · 2023-07-14 · unverdicted · none · ref 181 · internal anchor

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

  • Half-Spacetime Gauging of 2-Group Symmetry in 3d hep-th · 2026-05-07 · unreviewed · ref 18