A 3d integrable field theory with 2-Kac-Moody algebra symmetryConfirmed

by Hank Chen (University of Oxford)

Thursday Jan 9, 2025, 11:00 a.m. → 12:30 p.m. America/Toronto

PI/4-400 - Space Room (Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics)

This talk is based on my recent joint works arXiv:2405.18625, arXiv:2307.03831 with Joaquin Liniado and Florian Girelli.

Based on Lie 2-groups, I will introduce a 3d topological-holomorphic integrable field theory W, which can be understood as a higher-dimensional version of the Wess-Zumino-Witten model. By studying its higher currents and holonomies, it is revealed that W is related to both the raviolo VOAs of Garner- Williams --- a type of derived higher quantum algebra --- and the lasagna modules of Manolescu-Walker-Wedrich --- a type of 4d higher-skein invariant. I will then analyze the Noether charges of W, and prove that its symmetries are encoded by a derived version of the Kac-Moody algebra. If time allows, I will discuss how W enjoys a certain notion of "higher Lax integrability".