Equivalence Relations on Vertex Operator Algebras, II: Witt Equivalence and Orbifolds

TL;DR

This paper explores the concept of Witt equivalence among vertex operator algebras and RCFTs, proposing it as a key criterion for their topological relation and classifying symmetries, including non-invertible ones.

Contribution

It introduces Witt equivalence as a necessary and conjecturally sufficient condition for topological relations between VOAs and RCFTs, and develops a quantum Galois theory incorporating non-invertible symmetries.

Findings

Witt equivalence is necessary for topological relations between theories.

All finite symmetries of the $SU(2)_1$ WZW model are invertible, assuming classification conjectures.

Two Fibonacci lines are identified in the monster CFT.

Abstract

When can two strongly rational vertex operator algebras or 1+1d rational conformal field theories (RCFTs) be related by topological manipulations? For vertex operator algebras, the term "topological manipulations" refers to operations like passing to a conformal extension or restricting to a conformal subalgebra; for RCFTs, topological manipulations include operations like gauging (or orbifolding) a finite subpart of a generalized global symmetry or interpolating to a new theory via a topological line interface of finite quantum dimension. Inspired by results in the theory of even lattices and tensor categories, we say that two strongly rational vertex operator algebras are Witt equivalent if their central charges agree and if their modular tensor categories are Witt equivalent. Two RCFTs are said to be Witt equivalent if their central charges agree and if their associated 2+1d topological field theories can be separated by a topological surface. We argue that Witt equivalence is necessary for two theories to be related by topological manipulations. We conjecture that it is also sufficient, and give proofs in various special cases. We relate this circle of ideas to the problem of classifying RCFTs, and to lore concerning deformation classes of quantum field theories. We use the notion of Witt equivalence to argue, assuming the conjectural classification of unitary, $c=1$ RCFTs, that all of the finite symmetries of the $SU(2)_1$ Wess-Zumino-Witten model are invertible. We also sketch a "quantum Galois theory" for chiral CFTs, which generalizes prior mathematical literature by incorporating non-invertible symmetries; we illustrate this non-invertible Galois theory in the context of the monster CFT, for which we produce two Fibonacci lines. Finally, we discuss $p$-neighborhood of vertex operator algebras, which is a special topological manipulation related to $\mathbb{Z}_p$-orbifolding.