Family Puzzle, Framing Topology, $c_-=24$ and 3(E8)$_1$ Conformal Field Theories: 48/16 = 45/15 = 24/8 =3

TL;DR

This paper proposes a topological and mathematical framework explaining why there are exactly three generations of fermions in the Standard Model, linking topology, conformal field theory, and quantum Hall states.

Contribution

It introduces a novel topological explanation for the three-family structure of fermions using advanced mathematical and physical concepts, including cobordism and conformal field theories.

Findings

Derives the family number constraint N_f=3 from topological invariants.

Connects 3 generations to boundary theories of E8 quantum Hall states.

Supports the dimensional reduction with Smith homomorphism.

Abstract

Family Puzzle or Generation Problem demands an explanation of why there are 3 families or generations of quarks and leptons in the Standard Model of particle physics. Here we propose a novel solution -- the multiple of 3 families of 16 Weyl fermions (namely $(N_f=3) \times 16$) in the 3+1d spacetime dimensions are topologically robust due to constraints rooted in profound mathematics (such as Hirzebruch signature and Rokhlin theorems, and cobordism) and derivable in physics (such as chiral edge states, quantized thermal Hall conductance, and gravitational Chern-Simons theory), which holds true even forgetting or getting rid of any global symmetry or gauge structure of the Standard Model. By the dimensional reduction through a sequence of sign-reversing mass domain wall of domain wall and so on, we reduce the Standard Model fermions to obtain the $(N_f=3) \times 16$ multiple of 1+1d Majorana-Weyl fermion with a total chiral central charge $c_-=24$. Effectively via the fermionization-bosonization, the 1+1d theory becomes 3 copies of $c_-=8$ of (E$_8)_1$ conformal field theory, living on the boundary of 3 copies of 2+1d E$_8$ quantum Hall states. Based on the framing anomaly-free $c_- = 0 \mod 24$ modular invariance, the framed bordism and string bordism $\mathbb{Z}_{24}$ class, the 2-framing and $p_1$-structure, the $w_1$-$p_1$ bordism $\mathbb{Z}_3$ class constraints, we derive the family number constraint $N_f \in (\frac{48}{16} =\frac{24}{8}=3) \mathbb{Z}$. The dimensional reduction process, although not necessary, is sufficiently supported by the $\mathbb{Z}_{16}$ class Smith homomorphism. We also comment on the $\frac{45}{15}=3$ relation: the 3 families of 15 Weyl-fermion Standard Model vacuum where the absence of some sterile right-handed neutrinos is fulfilled by additional topological field theories or conformal field theories in Ultra Unification.