Generalized symmetry constraints on deformed 4D SCFTs

Journal Article · 24 April 2025 · Physical Review. D.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.111.086028 · OSTI ID:2562993

Kang, Monica Jinwoo ; Lawrie, Craig ; Lee, Ki-Hong; Song, Jaewon

We explore the consequence of generalized symmetries in four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal field theories. First, we classify all possible supersymmetric gauge theories with a simple gauge group that have a nontrivial one-form symmetry and flows to a superconformal field theory. Upon identifying unbroken discrete zero-form symmetries from the Adler-Bell-Jackiw (ABJ) anomaly, we find that many of these theories have mixed zero-form or one-form ’t Hooft anomalies. Then we classify the relevant deformations of these SCFTs that preserve the anomaly. From this mixed anomaly together with the anomalies of the discrete zero-form symmetries, we find obstructions for the relevant deformations of these SCFTs to flow to a trivially gapped phase. We also study non-Lagrangian SCFTs formed by gauging copies of Argyres-Douglas theories and constrain their deformations. In particular, we explore a new duality between the diagonal gauging of two ${\mathcal{D}}_3\left(SU\right(N\left)\right)$ theories and $SU\left(N\right)$ gauge theory with two adjoints. We also repeat our analysis for a host of nonsupersymmetric gauge theories having nontrivial one-form symmetry including examples that appear to flow to Bank-Zaks type CFTs. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0013528; SC0020360
• OSTI ID: 2562993
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D., Journal Name: Physical Review. D. Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 111; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 2470-0010
• Publisher: American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English