Three-Dimensional Topological Field Theories and Nonunitary Minimal Models

Journal Article · 27 March 2024 · Physical Review Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.131601 · OSTI ID:2329345

Gang, Dongmin ; Kim, Heeyeon ; Stubbs, Spencer

We find an intriguing relation between a class of three-dimensional nonunitary topological field theories (TFTs) and Virasoro minimal models $M(2,2r+3)$ with $r\ge 1$ . The TFTs are constructed by topologically twisting 3D $\mathcal{N}=4$ superconformal field theories (SCFTs) of rank-0, i.e., having zero-dimensional Coulomb and Higgs branches. We present ultraviolet (UV) field theory descriptions of the SCFTs with manifest $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetry, which we argue is enhanced to $\mathcal{N}=4$ in the infrared. From the UV description, we compute various partition functions of the TFTs and reproduce some basic properties of the minimal models, such as their characters and modular matrices. We expect more general correspondence between topologically twisted 3d $\mathcal{N}=4$ rank-0 SCFTs and 2D nonunitary rational conformal field theories. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0010008
• OSTI ID: 2329345
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Vol. 132 Journal Issue: 13; ISSN 0031-9007
• Publisher: American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English