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Spontaneously Broken $\bm{(-1)}$-Form U(1) Symmetries

by Daniel Aloni, Eduardo García-Valdecasas, Matthew Reece, Motoo Suzuki

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Submission summary

Authors (as registered SciPost users): Eduardo Garcia Valdecasas · Matthew Reece
Submission information
Preprint Link: scipost_202403_00019v3  (pdf)
Date accepted: 2024-06-20
Date submitted: 2024-06-11 09:35
Submitted by: Garcia Valdecasas, Eduardo
Submitted to: SciPost Physics
Ontological classification
Academic field: Physics
Specialties:
  • High-Energy Physics - Theory
Approach: Theoretical

Abstract

Spontaneous breaking of symmetries leads to universal phenomena. We extend this notion to $(-1)$-form U(1) symmetries. The spontaneous breaking is diagnosed by a dependence of the vacuum energy on a constant background field $\theta$, which can be probed by the topological susceptibility. This leads to a reinterpretation of the Strong CP problem as arising from a spontaneously broken instantonic symmetry in QCD. We discuss how known solutions to the problem are unified in this framework and explore some, so far {\em unsuccessful}, attempts to find new solutions.

Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations

  • Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
  • Open a new pathway in an existing or a new research direction, with clear potential for multi-pronged follow-up work
  • Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
  • Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block

List of changes

We have modified the paragraph below eq. 2.13 to further clarify that the (-1)-form symmetry is gauged in the Schwinger model.

Published as SciPost Phys. 17, 031 (2024)


Reports on this Submission

Report #1 by Anonymous (Referee 1) on 2024-6-11 (Invited Report)

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The authors have addressed all my comments and the manuscript is ready for publication in my opinion.

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