Questions tagged [chern-simons-theory]

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21 votes
2 answers
871 views

Define the 3d Chern-Simons TQFT on a discrete simplicial complex

Question: What is the challenge and the current status to define the 3d Chern-Simons(-Witten) (CSW) theory on a simplicial complex or on a discrete lattice? (Or is there a no-go or an obstruction ...
wonderich's user avatar
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21 votes
3 answers
2k views

What is Chern-Simons theory expected to assign to a point?

Let $G$ be a compact, connected, (simply connected?) Lie group and let $k \in H^4(BG, \mathbb{Z})$ be a cohomology class. Witten showed, at a physical level of rigor, that this data determines a $3$-...
Qiaochu Yuan's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
933 views

Analog of "Spin" Chern-Simons Theory

3-dimensional Chern-Simons theories, with compact gauge group $G$, are determined by $H^4(BG)$. Looking at $U(1)$, with generator $c_1^2\in H^4(BU(1))=\mathbb{Z}$ for 1st Chern class $c_1$, there are ...
Chris Gerig's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
950 views

H^d[U(1)^n,U(1)] of the Borel cohomology and Chern-Simons theory

Firstly I apologize that I am a physicist, with a relatively unrigorous math training. My approach of the problem can be Feynman style. Below $Z$ is the integer $\mathbb{Z}$, and $U(1)$ Abelian group ...
wonderich's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
375 views

How do I calculate the modular fusion category from a given Lie algebra and level in Chern-Simons theory?

In Chern-Simons theory, one has modular fusion categories that are labelled by a Lie algebra and a "level", e.g. $SU(2)_2$ ("$SU(2)$ level $2$"). Physically this modular fusion category describes the ...
Andi Bauer's user avatar
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8 votes
0 answers
522 views

What is $SL(2,\mathbb{R})$-Chern-SImons Theory?

I found in physics that Chern-Simons theory is closely related with three dimensional gravity. From this paper Three Dimensional Gravity Revisited, the author talks about the Chern-Simons for $$\...
Valac's user avatar
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5 votes
0 answers
413 views

Chern-Simons theory with non-compact gauge groups G

This is related to a previous question, where a nonlinear σ model (NLSM) describes a scalar field Σ which takes on values in a nonlinear manifold called the target manifold T. There we ask the general ...
wonderich's user avatar
  • 10.3k
5 votes
1 answer
372 views

Defining extended TQFTs *with point, line, surface, … operators*

$\newcommand\Cob{\mathrm{Cob}}\newcommand\Vect{\mathrm{Vect}}\DeclareMathOperator\Rep{Rep}$The ordinary definition of a TQFT is: Defnition: A $d$-dimensional TQFT is a symmetric monoidal functor $\Cob^...
Pulcinella's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
643 views

Why does the Cheeger--Chern--Simons class descend to H_3(G/B)?

Cheeger and Simons here defined a family of characteristic classes for principal $G$-bundles ($G$ a Lie group). I'm interested in the special case of $\hat c_2:H_3(SL(2,\mathbb C);\mathbb Z)\to\...
John Pardon's user avatar
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