Evidence for nonperturbative string symmetries

String theory appears to admit a group of discrete field transformations — calledS dualities — as exact nonperturbative quantum symmetries. Mathematically, they are rather analogous to the better-knownT duality symmetries, which hold perturbatively. In this Letter the evidence forS duality is reviewed and some speculations are presented.     

Collective field formulation of the multi-species Calogero model and its duality symmetries

We study the collective field formulation of a restricted form of the multi-species Calogero model, in which the three-body interactions are set to zero. We show that the resulting collective field theory is invariant under certain duality transformations, which interchange, among other things, particles and antiparticles, and thus generalize the well known strong-weak coupling duality symmetry of the ordinary Calogero model. We identify all these dualities, which form an Abelian group, and study their consequences. We also study the ground state and small fluctuations around it in detail, starting with the two-species model, and then generalizing to an arbitrary number of species.     

Kramers-Wannier dualities via symmetries

Kramers-Wannier dualities in lattice models are intimately connected with symmetries. We show that they can be found directly and explicitly from the symmetry transformations of the boundary states in the underlying conformal field theory. Intriguingly, the only models with a self-duality transformation turn out to be those with an auto-orbifold property.     

Poincaré Duality and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis><Superscript>+++</Superscript> Algebras

Theories with General Relativity as a sub-sector exhibit enhanced symmetries upon dimensional reduction, which is suggestive of “exotic dualities”. Upon inclusion of time-like directions in the reductions one can dualize to theories in different space-time signatures. We clarify the nature of these dualities and show that they are well captured by the properties of infinite-dimensional symmetry algebras (G ⁺⁺⁺- algebras), but only after taking into account that the realization of Poincaré duality leads to restrictions on the denominator subalgebra appearing in the non-linear realization. The correct realization of Poincaré duality can be encoded in a simple algebraic constraint, that is invariant under the Weyl-group of the G ⁺⁺⁺-algebra, and therefore independent of the detailed realization of the theory under consideration. We also construct other Weyl-invariant quantities that can be used to extract information from the G ⁺⁺⁺-algebra without fixing a level decomposition. Post-doctoraal onderzoeker van het Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Vlaanderen.     

Revisiting novel symmetries in coupled ${ \mathcal N }=2$ supersymmetric quantum systems: examples and supervariable approach

We revisit the novel symmetries in ${ \mathcal N }=2$ supersymmetric quantum mechanical models by considering specific examples of coupled systems. Further, we extend our analysis to a general case and list out all the novel symmetries. In each case, we show the existence of two sets of discrete symmetries that correspond to the Hodge duality operator of differential geometry. Thus, we are able to provide a proof of the conjecture which points out the existence of more than one set of discrete symmetry transformations corresponding to the Hodge duality operator. Moreover, we derive on-shell nilpotent symmetries for a generalized superpotential within the framework of supervariable approach.     

String theory dualities from M-theory

We analyze how string theory dualities may be described in M-theory. T-dualities arise from scalar-vector dualities in the worldvolume of the membrane of M-theory. “Electric-magnetic” dualities arise from a duality transformation in M-theory compactified on a 3-torus, which takes the membrane into a fivebrane wrapped around the 3-torus. We show how the action of the membrane transforms into the action of the wrapped fivebrane by this fransformation. Other “electric-magnetic” dualities are related to this duality by compactifications and orbifoldings.     

A solution to the non-Abelian duality problem

Dualities uniquely excel at resolving non-perturbative aspects of complex phase diagrams of interacting, Landau or topologically ordered, systems. However, traditional duality transformations fail for systems like the Heisenberg model and non-Abelian gauge theories. The bond-algebraic theory of quantum and classical dualities provides a solution to this long-standing conundrum, the so-called non-Abelian duality problem, by embedding traditional dualities into a more general transformation scheme that always preserves locality in any number of dimensions. Remarkably, it turns out to be unimportant whether a model?s group of symmetries is Abelian or non-Abelian. The capability of the bond-algebraic approach to handle finite and infinite systems with arbitrary boundary conditions has recently led to the discovery of holographic symmetries  , relating topological order, edge states, and generalized order parameters. We discuss the interplay between these distinguished boundary symmetries and our solution to the non-Abelian duality problem. To illustrate our technique we present, among others, novel dualities for the SU(2)$\mathit{SU}(2)$ principal chiral field and both U(1)$U(1)$ and SU(2)$\mathit{SU}(2)$ generalizations of the planar quantum compass model of orbital ordering.     

Duality and defects in rational conformal field theory

We study topological defect lines in two-dimensional rational conformal field theory. Continuous variation of the location of such a defect does not change the value of a correlator. Defects separating different phases of local CFTs with the same chiral symmetry are included in our discussion. We show how the resulting one-dimensional phase boundaries can be used to extract symmetries and order–disorder dualities of the CFT. The case of central charge c=4/5$c=4/5$, for which there are two inequivalent world sheet phases corresponding to the tetra-critical Ising model and the critical three-states Potts model, is treated as an illustrative example.     

Duality symmetry group of two dimensional heterotic string theory

The equations of motion of the massless sector of the two dimensional string theory, obtained by compactifying the heterotic string theory on an eight dimensional torus, is known to have an affine o(8,24) symmetry algebra generating an O(8,24) loop group. In this paper we study how various known discrete S- and T- duality symmetries of the theory are embedded in this loop group. This allows us to identify the generators of the discrete duality symmetry group of the two dimensional string theory.     

Extending Dualities to Trialities Deepens the Foundations of Dynamics

Dualities are often supposed to be foundational, but they may come into conflict with a strong form of background independence, which is the principle that the dynamical equations of a theory not depend on arbitrary, fixed, non-dynamical structures. This is because a hidden fixed structures is needed to define the duality transformation. Examples include a fixed, absolute notion of time, a fixed non-dynamical background geometry, or the metric of Hilbert space. We show that this conflict can be eliminated by extending a duality to a triality. This renders that fixed structure dynamical, while unifying it with the dual variables. To illustrate this, we study matrix models with a cubic action, which have a natural triality symmetry. We show how breaking this triality symmetry by imposing different compactifications, which are expansions around fixed classical solutions, yields particle mechanics, string theory and Chern-Simons theory. These result from compactifying, respectively, one, two and three dimensions. This may explain the origin of Born’s duality between position and momenta operators in quantum theory, as well as some of the the dualities of string theory.     

The bond-algebraic approach to dualities

An algebraic theory of dualities is developed based on the notion of bond algebras. It deals with classical and quantum dualities in a unified fashion explaining the precise connection between quantum dualities and the low temperature (strong-coupling)/high temperature (weak-coupling) dualities of classical statistical mechanics (or (Euclidean) path integrals). Its range of applications includes discrete lattice, continuum field and gauge theories. Dualities are revealed to be local, structure-preserving mappings between model-specific bond algebras that can be implemented as unitary transformations, or partial isometries if gauge symmetries are involved. This characterization permits us to search systematically for dualities and self-dualities in quantum models of arbitrary system size, dimensionality and complexity, and any classical model admitting a transfer matrix or operator representation. In particular, special dualities such as exact dimensional reduction, emergent and gauge-reducing dualities that solve gauge constraints can be easily understood in terms of mappings of bond algebras. As a new example, we show that the ?₂ Higgs model is dual to the extended toric code model in any number of dimensions. Non-local transformations such as dual variables and Jordan–Wigner dictionaries are algorithmically derived from the local mappings of bond algebras. This permits us to establish a precise connection between quantum dual and classical disorder variables. Our bond-algebraic approach goes beyond the standard approach to classical dualities, and could help resolve the long-standing problem of obtaining duality transformations for lattice non-Abelian models. As an illustration, we present new dualities in any spatial dimension for the quantum Heisenberg model. Finally, we discuss various applications including location of phase boundaries, spectral behavior and, notably, we show how bond-algebraic dualities help constrain and realize fermionization in an arbitrary number of spatial dimensions.     

Electromagnetic duality transformations in supersymmetric field theories

We explore the properties of theories which are invariant under electromagnetic duality.N=2 supergravity Yang-Mills systems are discussed in more details. In particular, a symplectic and coordinate covariant framework is established which allows one to discuss classical and quantum duality symmetries (T andS dualities), as they emerge in superstrings in four dimensions withN=2 spacetime supersymmetry.This article is dedicated to the memory of my friend Julian Schwinger     

Hypothesis of friedmons as dark matter particles and hypothesis of initial cosmological constant decay

Hypothesis of friedmons as dark matter particles is proposed. Friedmons are stable particles with a mass of billion nucleon masses. These particles correspond to the not yet been discovered exact symmetry group dual to the SU(2) group: for the Standard model symmetries and dual symmetries, the roles of exact and broken symmetries and corresponding stable and unstable particles change places. The hypothesis of the decay of the primordial de Sitter vacuum of the Planck density to an asymptotic state of the expanding Universe with de Sitter vacuum of the observed critical density is proposed. The T -duality and S-duality hypotheses relating subgroups SU(3)×SU(2)×U(1) and dual subgroups S??(3)× S??(2) × ??(1) with decay of the primordial symmetry group E(8) × ??(8) are proposed. In particular, these dualities relate the minimum Planck length 10^?13 cm to the primordial curvature radius 10^?13 cmof theMetagalaxy of the Planck density and its modern curvature radius of 10²⁸ cm. That is, the probable relation of the Planck mass to the Metagalaxy mass of 10⁶¹ Planck masses is indicated.     

A short introduction to quantum symmetry

In quantum theory, symmetries more general than groups are possible. We give a general definition of a quantum symmetry, such that symmetry operations act on the Hilbert space of physical states and notions of unitarity, invariance and covariance are defined. Within this frame, weak quasi quantum groups are described as a natural generalization of group algebras. Consistency with locality distinguishes them from more general quantum symmetries. To find the new kinds of symmetry one should investigate low dimensional quantum systems such as two-dimensional layers.     

Freudenthal duality and generalized special geometry

Freudenthal duality, introduced in Borsten et al. (2009) [1] and defined as an anti-involution on the dyonic charge vector in d=4 space-time dimensions for those dualities admitting a quartic invariant, is proved to be a symmetry not only of the classical Bekenstein-Hawking entropy but also of the critical points of the black hole potential.Furthermore, Freudenthal duality is extended to any generalized special geometry, thus encompassing all N>2 supergravities, as well as N=2 generic special geometry, not necessarily having a coset space structure.     

Gauging Dual Symmetry

For some symmetries the process of transforming from a global to a local symmetry can be achieved by introducing a scalar field rather than a vector field. The symmetry that we study is electric–magnetic dual symmetry which rotates electric and magnetic quantities into one another. Starting from an initial Lagrangian which contains vector fields and satisfies a global electric–magnetic duality, we show that it is possible to make the symmetry local by introducing a scalar field.     

The breaking of quantum double symmetries by defect condensation

In this paper, we study the phenomenon of Hopf or more specifically quantum double symmetry breaking. We devise a criterion for this type of symmetry breaking which is more general than the one originally proposed in F.A. Bais, B.J. Schroers, J.K. Slingerland [Broken quantum symmetry and confinement phases in planar physics, Phys. Rev. Lett. 89 (2002) 181601]; Hopf symmetry breaking and confinement in (2+1)-dimensional gauge theory, JHEP 05 (2003) 068], and therefore extends the number of possible breaking patterns that can be described consistently. We start by recalling why the extended symmetry notion of quantum double algebras is an optimal tool when analyzing a wide variety of two-dimensional physical systems including quantum fluids, crystals and liquid crystals. The power of this approach stems from the fact that one may characterize both ordinary and topological modes as representations of a single (generally nonabelian) Hopf symmetry. In principle a full classification of defect mediated as well as ordinary symmetry breaking patterns and subsequent confinement phenomena can be given. The formalism applies equally well to systems exhibiting global, local, internal and/or external (i.e. spatial) symmetries. The subtle differences in interpretation for the various situations are pointed out. We show that the Hopf symmetry breaking formalism reproduces the known results for ordinary (electric) condensates, and we derive formulae for defect (magnetic) condensates which also involve the phenomenon of symmetry restoration. These results are applied in two papers which will be published in parallel [C.J.M. Mathy, F.A. Bais, Nematic phases and the breaking of double symmetries, arXiv:cond-mat/0602109, 2006; F.A. Bais, C.J.M. Mathy, Defect mediated melting and the breaking of quantum double symmetries, arXiv:cond-mat/0602101, 2006].     

耦合Burgers系统的Painlevé性质分析，对称和对称约化

本文给出了耦合Burgers系统的Painlevé性质，逆强对称算子，无穷多对称和李对称约化。通过把强对称和逆强对称算子重复多次作用到耦合Burgers模型的一些平庸对称，如恒等变换，空间平移变换和标度变换上，我们得到了三族无穷多对称。这些对称构成了无穷维李代数。用其中的有限维子代数——点李代数对模型进行对称约化，得到了模型的群不变解。