Generalized Symmetries in 2D from String Theory: SymTFTs, Intrinsic Relativeness, and Anomalies of Non-invertible Symmetries

TL;DR

This paper explores the origin and properties of non-invertible symmetries and their anomalies in 2D quantum field theories derived from string theory, using symmetry topological field theories and brane constructions.

Contribution

It derives 3D SymTFTs from string theory for 2D QFTs, classifies intrinsic versus absolute theories, and elucidates the brane origin and anomalies of non-invertible symmetries.

Findings

Non-invertible symmetries have a brane origin in string theory.

Intrinsic and absolute 2D QFTs are distinguished by their symmetry properties.

Explicit examples demonstrate the presence of anomalies in non-invertible symmetries.

Abstract

Generalized global symmetries, in particular non-invertible and categorical symmetries, have become a focal point in the recent study of quantum field theory (QFT). In this paper, we investigate aspects of symmetry topological field theories (SymTFTs) and anomalies of non-invertible symmetries for 2D QFTs from a string theory perspective. Our primary focus is on an infinite class of 2D QFTs engineered on D1-branes probing toric Calabi-Yau 4-fold singularities. We derive 3D SymTFTs from the topological sector of IIB supergravity and discuss the resulting 2D QFTs, which can be intrinsically relative or absolute. For intrinsically relative QFTs, we propose a sufficient condition for them to exist. For absolute QFTs, we show that they exhibit non-invertible symmetries with an elegant brane origin. Furthermore, we find that these non-invertible symmetries can suffer from anomalies, which we discuss from a top-down perspective. Explicit examples are provided, including theories for $Y^{(p,k)}(\mathbb{P}^2)$, $Y^{(2,0)}(\mathbb{P}^1\times \mathbb{P}^1)$, and $\mathbb{C}^4/\mathbb{Z}_4$ geometries.