Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2507.01104 · SciPost Physics

Higher-form anomalies and state-operator correspondence beyond conformal invariance

Stathis Vitouladitis

Published Jan 19, 2026• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We establish a state-operator correspondence for a class of non-conformal quantum field theories with continuous higher-form symmetries and a mixed anomaly. Such systems can always be realised as a relativistic superfluid. The symmetry structure induces an infinite tower of conserved charges, which we construct explicitly. These charges satisfy an abelian current algebra with a central extension, generalising the familiar Kac–Moody algebras to higher dimensions. States and operators are organised into representations of this algebra, enabling a direct correspondence. We demonstrate the correspondence explicitly in free examples by performing the Euclidean path integral on a d d -dimensional ball, with local operators inserted in the origin, and matching to energy eigenstates on S^{d-1} S d − 1 obtained by canonical quantisation. Interestingly, in the absence of conformal invariance, the empty path integral prepares a squeezed vacuum rather than the true ground state.

DOI
10.21468/scipostphys.20.1.011

Related papers

Emergence of Kac-Moody symmetry in critical quantum spin chains

Ruoshui Wang, Yijian Zou, Guifré Vidal

Given a critical quantum spin chain with a microscopic Lie group symmetry, corresponding, e.g., to $U(1)$ or $SU(2)$ spin isotropy, we numerically investigate the emergence of Kac-Moody symmetry at low energies and long distances. In that regime, one such critical quantum spin chain is described by a conformal field theory where the usual Virasoro algebra associated with conformal invariance is augmented with a Kac-Moody algebra associated with conserved currents. Specifically, we first propose a method to construct lattice operators corresponding to the Kac-Moody generators. We then numerically show that, when projected onto low-energy states of the quantum spin chain, these operators indeed approximately fulfill the Kac-Moody algebra. The lattice version of the Kac-Moody generators allows us to compute the so-called level constant and to organize the low-energy eigenstates of the lattice Hamiltonian into Kac-Moody towers. We illustrate the proposal with the XXZ model and the Heisenberg model with a next-to-nearest-neighbor coupling.

arXiv:2206.01656•Physical review. B./Physical review. B•Sep 8, 2022•10 citations

Kac-Moody symmetries in one-dimensional bosonic systems

Wei Tang, Jutho Haegeman

In conformal field theories, when the conformal symmetry is enhanced by a global Lie group symmetry, the original Virasoro algebra can be extended to Kac-Moody algebra. In this paper, we extend the lattice construction of the Kac-Moody generators introduced in Wang et al., [Phys. Rev. B 106, 115111 (2022)] to continuous systems and apply it to one-dimensional continuous boson systems. We justify this microscopic construction of Kac-Moody generators in two ways. First, through phenomenological bosonization, we express the microscopic construction in terms of the boson operators in the bosonization context, which can be related to the Kac-Moody generators in conformal field theories. Second, we study the behavior of the Kac-Moody generators in the integrable Lieb-Liniger model and reveal its underlying particle-hole excitation picture through Bethe ansatz solutions. Finally, we test the computation of the Kac-Moody generator in the continuous matrix product state simulations, paving the way for more challenging nonintegrable systems.

arXiv:2304.00609•Physical review. B./Physical review. B•Jul 31, 2023•1 citation

Perturbation theory of low-dimensional quantum liquids. II. Operator description of Virasoro algebras in integrable systems

J. M. P. Carmelo, A. H. Castro Neto, David K Campbell

We show that the recently developed pseudoparticle-operator algebra which generates the low-energy Hamiltonian eigenstates of multicomponent integrable systems with contact interactions also provides a natural operator representation for the Virasoro algebras associated with the conformal-invariant character of the low-energy spectrum of these models. Studying explicitly the Hubbard chain in a nonzero chemical potential and external magnetic field, we establish that the pseudoparticle-perturbation theory provides a correct starting point for the construction of a suitable critical-point Hamiltonian. We derive explicit expressions in terms of pseudoparticle operators for the generators of the Virasoro algebras and the energy-momentum tensor, describe the conformal-invariant character of the critical point from the point of view of the response to curvature of the two-dimensional space time, and discuss the relation to Kac-Moody algebras and dynamical separation.

arXiv:cond-mat/9404009•Physical review. B, Condensed matter•Aug 1, 1994•30 citations

Anomaly and symmetry-charge flow in mixed states

Ze-Min Huang, Sebastian Diehl

The $(1+1)$-dimensional chiral anomaly is a paradigmatic exact result in quantum field theory, traditionally formulated for zero-temperature pure states where it arises from spectral flow induced by external gauge fields and captures universal ground-state properties. In mixed states, however, the participation of many states and charge exchange with the environment invalidate this mechanism. Naive extensions yield model-dependent anomaly coefficients, calling its universality into question. Here, we resolve this problem for Abelian symmetries by deriving the anomaly from an algebraic relation between the symmetry and its flux-insertion operator. We obtain symmetry-charge flow, a mixed-state generalization of spectral flow, in which an applied field redistributes statistical weight across symmetry-resolved charge sectors. Fixed solely by symmetry, the anomaly restores universality and applies to both pure and mixed states in fermionic and bosonic systems. We substantiate these results in tight-binding fermionic models with continuous symmetry and in spin models with discrete symmetries.

arXiv:2604.24872•Apr 27, 2026•0 citations

Topological aspects of the gapless and the gapped

Stathis Vitouladitis

Symmetry is a fundamental organising principle in theoretical physics, underpinning the conservation of physical quantities and the characterisation of phases of matter. It is closely related to topology, leading to generalisations such as higher-form and non-invertible symmetries, with applications in electromagnetism, the standard model of particle physics, condensed matter, and quantum computation. This thesis harnesses generalised symmetries to derive universal results in gapped and gapless phases of matter, focusing particularly on topologically ordered systems and conformal field theories (CFTs). Topological order is characterised by long-range entangled gapped phases, namely ground states that cannot be disentangled by finite-depth quantum circuits. At low energies it is described via topological quantum field theories (TQFTs). One part of this thesis focusses on extracting patterns of long-range entanglement from the low-energy TQFT for a class of topological orders described by abelian BF theory. By considering algebras of topological operators restricted to subregions, a new measure of entanglement, termed essential topological entanglement, is introduced to refine topological entanglement entropy. This is complemented by a detailed analysis of the edge-mode spectrum of abelian BF theory and its contribution to entanglement entropy across different topologies. A key mathematical result, enabling the above analysis, is the generalisation of Kac–Moody current algebras and their representation theory to higher dimensions. On the gapless front, the thesis considers CFTs with continuous higher-form symmetries, invertible or non-invertible. It is shown that they also possess infinite-dimensional current algebras akin to those described above. Their representation theory allows for a complete characterisation of the quantum states of these theories across arbitrary spatial topologies. In four dimensions, CFTs with continuous one-form symmetries can be described in terms of free photons. Combining this with the previous analysis leads to a one-to-one correspondence between states on particular topologies and line operators, i.e. wires carrying distributions of electric and magnetic charge.

•Sep 20, 2024•0 citations

Topological gauging and double current deformations

Sergei Dubovsky, Stefano Negro, Massimo Porrati B

Abstract We study solvable deformations of two-dimensional quantum field theories driven by a bilinear operator constructed from a pair of conserved U(1) currents Ja. We propose a quantum formulation of these deformations, based on the gauging of the corresponding symmetries in a path integral. This formalism leads to an exact dressing of the S-matrix of the system, similarly as what happens in the case of a $$ \textrm{T}\overline{\textrm{T}} $$ T T ¯ deformation. For conformal theories the deformations under study are expected to be exactly marginal. Still, a peculiar situation might arise when the conserved currents Ja are not well-defined local operators in the original theory. A simple example of this kind of system is provided by rotation currents in a theory of multiple free, massless, non-compact bosons. We verify that, somewhat unexpectedly, such a theory is indeed still conformal after deformation and that it coincides with a TsT transformation of the original system. We then extend our formalism to the case in which the conserved currents are non-Abelian and point out its connection with Deformed T-dual Models and homogeneous Yang-Baxter deformations. In this case as well the deformation is based on a gauging of the symmetries involved and it turns out to be non-trivial only if the symmetry group admits a non-trivial central extension. Finally we apply what we learned by relating the $$ \textrm{T}\overline{\textrm{T}} $$ T T ¯ deformation to the central extension of the two-dimensional Poincaré algebra.

arXiv:2302.01654•Journal of High Energy Physics•May 31, 2023•18 citations
We establish a state-operator correspondence for a class of non-conformal quantum field theories with continuous higher-form symmetries and a mixed anomaly. Such systems can always be realised as a relativistic superfluid. The symmetry structure induces an infinite tower of conserved charges, which we construct explicitly. These charges satisfy an abelian current algebra with a central extension, generalising the familiar Kac–Moody algebras to higher dimensions. States and operators are organised into representations of this algebra, enabling a direct correspondence. We demonstrate the correspondence explicitly in free examples by performing the Euclidean path integral on a d d -dimensional ball, with local operators inserted in the origin, and matching to energy eigenstates on S^{d-1} S d − 1 obtained by canonical quantisation. Interestingly, in the absence of conformal invariance, the empty path integral prepares a squeezed vacuum rather than the true ground state.
Given a critical quantum spin chain with a microscopic Lie group symmetry, corresponding, e.g., to U(1)U(1)U(1) or SU(2)SU(2)SU(2) spin isotropy, we numerically investigate the emergence of Kac-Moody symmetry at low energies and long distances. In that regime, one such critical quantum spin chain is described by a conformal field theory where the usual Virasoro algebra associated with conformal invariance is augmented with a Kac-Moody algebra associated with conserved currents. Specifically, we first propose a method to construct lattice operators corresponding to the Kac-Moody generators. We then numerically show that, when projected onto low-energy states of the quantum spin chain, these operators indeed approximately fulfill the Kac-Moody algebra. The lattice version of the Kac-Moody generators allows us to compute the so-called level constant and to organize the low-energy eigenstates of the lattice Hamiltonian into Kac-Moody towers. We illustrate the proposal with the XXZ model and the Heisenberg model with a next-to-nearest-neighbor coupling.
In conformal field theories, when the conformal symmetry is enhanced by a global Lie group symmetry, the original Virasoro algebra can be extended to Kac-Moody algebra. In this paper, we extend the lattice construction of the Kac-Moody generators introduced in Wang et al., [Phys. Rev. B 106, 115111 (2022)] to continuous systems and apply it to one-dimensional continuous boson systems. We justify this microscopic construction of Kac-Moody generators in two ways. First, through phenomenological bosonization, we express the microscopic construction in terms of the boson operators in the bosonization context, which can be related to the Kac-Moody generators in conformal field theories. Second, we study the behavior of the Kac-Moody generators in the integrable Lieb-Liniger model and reveal its underlying particle-hole excitation picture through Bethe ansatz solutions. Finally, we test the computation of the Kac-Moody generator in the continuous matrix product state simulations, paving the way for more challenging nonintegrable systems.
We show that the recently developed pseudoparticle-operator algebra which generates the low-energy Hamiltonian eigenstates of multicomponent integrable systems with contact interactions also provides a natural operator representation for the Virasoro algebras associated with the conformal-invariant character of the low-energy spectrum of these models. Studying explicitly the Hubbard chain in a nonzero chemical potential and external magnetic field, we establish that the pseudoparticle-perturbation theory provides a correct starting point for the construction of a suitable critical-point Hamiltonian. We derive explicit expressions in terms of pseudoparticle operators for the generators of the Virasoro algebras and the energy-momentum tensor, describe the conformal-invariant character of the critical point from the point of view of the response to curvature of the two-dimensional space time, and discuss the relation to Kac-Moody algebras and dynamical separation.
The (1+1)(1+1)(1+1)-dimensional chiral anomaly is a paradigmatic exact result in quantum field theory, traditionally formulated for zero-temperature pure states where it arises from spectral flow induced by external gauge fields and captures universal ground-state properties. In mixed states, however, the participation of many states and charge exchange with the environment invalidate this mechanism. Naive extensions yield model-dependent anomaly coefficients, calling its universality into question. Here, we resolve this problem for Abelian symmetries by deriving the anomaly from an algebraic relation between the symmetry and its flux-insertion operator. We obtain symmetry-charge flow, a mixed-state generalization of spectral flow, in which an applied field redistributes statistical weight across symmetry-resolved charge sectors. Fixed solely by symmetry, the anomaly restores universality and applies to both pure and mixed states in fermionic and bosonic systems. We substantiate these results in tight-binding fermionic models with continuous symmetry and in spin models with discrete symmetries.
Symmetry is a fundamental organising principle in theoretical physics, underpinning the conservation of physical quantities and the characterisation of phases of matter. It is closely related to topology, leading to generalisations such as higher-form and non-invertible symmetries, with applications in electromagnetism, the standard model of particle physics, condensed matter, and quantum computation. This thesis harnesses generalised symmetries to derive universal results in gapped and gapless phases of matter, focusing particularly on topologically ordered systems and conformal field theories (CFTs). Topological order is characterised by long-range entangled gapped phases, namely ground states that cannot be disentangled by finite-depth quantum circuits. At low energies it is described via topological quantum field theories (TQFTs). One part of this thesis focusses on extracting patterns of long-range entanglement from the low-energy TQFT for a class of topological orders described by abelian BF theory. By considering algebras of topological operators restricted to subregions, a new measure of entanglement, termed essential topological entanglement, is introduced to refine topological entanglement entropy. This is complemented by a detailed analysis of the edge-mode spectrum of abelian BF theory and its contribution to entanglement entropy across different topologies. A key mathematical result, enabling the above analysis, is the generalisation of Kac–Moody current algebras and their representation theory to higher dimensions. On the gapless front, the thesis considers CFTs with continuous higher-form symmetries, invertible or non-invertible. It is shown that they also possess infinite-dimensional current algebras akin to those described above. Their representation theory allows for a complete characterisation of the quantum states of these theories across arbitrary spatial topologies. In four dimensions, CFTs with continuous one-form symmetries can be described in terms of free photons. Combining this with the previous analysis leads to a one-to-one correspondence between states on particular topologies and line operators, i.e. wires carrying distributions of electric and magnetic charge.
Abstract We study solvable deformations of two-dimensional quantum field theories driven by a bilinear operator constructed from a pair of conserved U(1) currents Ja. We propose a quantum formulation of these deformations, based on the gauging of the corresponding symmetries in a path integral. This formalism leads to an exact dressing of the S-matrix of the system, similarly as what happens in the case of a TT‾ \textrm{T}\overline{\textrm{T}} TT T T ¯ deformation. For conformal theories the deformations under study are expected to be exactly marginal. Still, a peculiar situation might arise when the conserved currents Ja are not well-defined local operators in the original theory. A simple example of this kind of system is provided by rotation currents in a theory of multiple free, massless, non-compact bosons. We verify that, somewhat unexpectedly, such a theory is indeed still conformal after deformation and that it coincides with a TsT transformation of the original system. We then extend our formalism to the case in which the conserved currents are non-Abelian and point out its connection with Deformed T-dual Models and homogeneous Yang-Baxter deformations. In this case as well the deformation is based on a gauging of the symmetries involved and it turns out to be non-trivial only if the symmetry group admits a non-trivial central extension. Finally we apply what we learned by relating the TT‾ \textrm{T}\overline{\textrm{T}} TT T T ¯ deformation to the central extension of the two-dimensional Poincaré algebra.