Non-abelian duality and symmetry breaking in gauge theories

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Project objective

The research aims to develop our understanding of duality and symmetry breaking in gauge theories. It will focus on examples of field theories which are both physically interesting and amenable to rigorous mathematical analysis. It is expected that there will be a high level of cross-fertilization of mathematical and physical ideas. Specific objectives are:1. To study the breaking of quantum group symmetries in (2+1 ) -dimensional field theories and to develop the appropriate mathematical tools, in particular the notion of a sub-quantum-group and of a Higgs effect" in quantum groups.2. To give a rigorous definition and proof of confinement in (2+1)-dimensional (topological) field theories with quantum group symmetry.3. To relate electric-magnetic duality in (2+1)-dimensional (topological) field theories to Verlinde's S-matrix.4. To define electric-magnetic duality in (3+1)-dimensional Yang-Mills-Higgs theories with general non-Abelian residual symmetry groups, and to explore its consequences for the phase structure of the theory."

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY · EDINBURGHCoordinatorUnited Kingdom

Links

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