MS Seminar (Mathematics - String Theory)

Speaker: Rajath Radhakrishnan (Queen Mary U. of London)
Title: Galois Conjugation of Topological Quantum Field Theories
Date (JST): Tue, Nov 16, 2021, 16:30 - 18:00
Place: Zoom
Related File: 2741.pdf
Abstract: A 2+1-dimensional Topological Quantum Field Theory (TQFT) can be obtained from the solutions of a set of multivariable polynomial equations. This allows one to use techniques from Galois theory to define maps between TQFTs called Galois conjugation. In this talk, we will introduce the algebraic description of TQFTs in terms of modular tensor categories and explore how Galois actions arise. After studying Galois orbits of some well-known TQFTs, we will explain how Galois actions can lead to non-unitary TQFTs. Finally, we will discuss the symmetries and gapped boundaries of Galois conjugate TQFTs. This talk will be based on arXiv:2109.02766.