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One-form symmetries and the 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ $A$-model: Topologically twisted indices for any $G$

by Cyril Closset, Elias Furrer, Osama Khlaif

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Authors (as registered SciPost users):

Cyril Closset · Elias Furrer · Osama Khlaif

Abstract

We study three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric Chern-Simons-matter gauge theories with a one-form symmetry in the $A$-model formalism on $\Sigma_g\times S^1$. We explicitly compute expectation values of topological line operators that implement the one-form symmetry. This allows us to compute the topologically twisted index on the closed Riemann surface $\Sigma_g$ for any real compact gauge group $G$. All computations are carried out in the effective $A$-model on $\Sigma_g$, whose ground states are the so-called Bethe vacua. We discuss how the 3d one-form symmetry acts on the Bethe vacua, and how its 't Hooft anomaly constrains the vacuum structure. In the special case of the $SU(N)_K$ $\mathcal{N}=2$ Chern-Simons theory, we obtain results for the $(SU(N)/\mathbb{Z}_r)^{\theta}_K$ $\mathcal{N}=2$ Chern-Simons theories, for all non-anomalous $\mathbb{Z}_r \subseteq \mathbb{Z}_N$ subgroups of the center of the gauge group, and with the associated $\mathbb{Z}_r$ $\theta$-angle turned on, reproducing and extending various results in the literature. In particular, we find an interesting mixed 't Hooft anomaly between gravity and the $\mathbb{Z}_r$ one-form symmetry of the $SU(N)_K$ theory (for $N$ even, $\frac{N}{r}$ odd and $\frac{K}{r}$ even). This plays a key role in our derivation of the Witten index, which we explicitly compute for any $N$, $K$ and $r$ in terms of refinements of Jordan's totient function. Our results lead to precise conjectures about integrality of indices, which appear to have a strong number-theoretic flavour. Note: this paper directly builds upon unpublished notes by Brian Willett from 2020.

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