Defining and classifying TQFTs via surgery

DOI10.4171/QT/108MaRDI QIDQ1651609zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors András Juhász

Publication date 12 July 2018

Published in Quantum Topology (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/1408.0668

zbMATH Keywords

cobordismsurgeryTQFT

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Topological quantum field theories (aspects of differential topology) (57R56) Surgery and handlebodies (57R65)

Abstract: We give a presentation of the $n$-dimensional oriented cobordism category $ext{Cob}_n$ with generators corresponding to diffeomorphisms and surgeries along framed spheres, and a complete set of relations. Hence, given a functor $F$ from the category of smooth oriented manifolds and diffeomorphisms to an arbitrary category $C$, and morphisms induced by surgeries along framed spheres, we obtain a necessary and sufficient set of relations these have to satisfy to extend to a functor from $ext{Cob}_n$ to $C$. If $C$ is symmetric and monoidal, then we also characterize when the extension is a TQFT. This framework is well-suited to defining natural cobordism maps in Heegaard Floer homology. It also allows us to give a short proof of the classical correspondence between (1+1)-dimensional TQFTs and commutative Frobenius algebras. Finally, we use it to classify (2+1)-dimensional TQFTs in terms of J-algebras, a new algebraic structure that consists of a split graded involutive nearly Frobenius algebra endowed with a certain mapping class group representation. This solves a long-standing open problem. As a corollary, we obtain a structure theorem for (2+1)-dimensional TQFTs that assign a vector space of the same dimension to every connected surface. We also note that there are $2^{2^{o}mega}$ nonequivalent lax monoidal TQFTs over $mathbbC$ that do not extend to (1+1+1)-dimensional ones.

Review text

TQFT, proposed in [\textit{M. Atiyah}, Publ. Math., Inst. Hautes Étud. Sci. 68, 175--186 (1988; Zbl 0692.53053); \textit{G. B. Segal}, NATO ASI Ser., Ser. C 250, 165--171 (1988; Zbl 0657.53060); \textit{E. Witten}, Commun. Math. Phys. 117, No. 3, 353--386 (1988; Zbl 0656.53078)] has been one of the most attractive topics in geometry, topology, and physics. Despite the classification [\textit{J. Lurie}, in: Current developments in mathematics, 2008. Somerville, MA: International Press. 129--280 (2009; Zbl 1180.81122)] of fully extended TQFTs, there are still many things unknown. This paper gives a presentation for \(\mathbf{Cob}_n\), the category of \(n\)-dimensional cobordisms, obtaining sufficient and necessary conditions for a functor from the category of smooth manifolds to \(C\), for any category \(C\), to be extendable to \(\mathbf{Cob}_n\to C\). If \(C\) is symmetric and monoidal, then it can be characterized when the extension is a TQFT. Subsequent results are: 1. the classical correspondence [\textit{J. Kock}, Frobenius algebras and 2D topological quantum field theories. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (2004; Zbl 1046.57001)] between 2d TQFTs and Frobenius algebras is reproved rapidly; 2. cobordism maps in Heegaard Floer homology are constructed; and most remarkably, 3. \((2+1)\)-dimensional TQFTs are classified in terms of new algebraic structures. Therefore, this framework is powerful. It will no doubt lead to deep understanding of cobordisms, and will enable researchers to uncover structures involved in un-extended TQFTs in other dimensions.

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Cited in

(29)

• On the connectivity of cobordisms and half-projective TQFT's
• Edge contraction on dual ribbon graphs and 2D TQFT
• Computing cobordism maps in link Floer homology and the reduced Khovanov TQFT
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• A faithful 2-dimensional TQFT
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• Cobordisms of sutured manifolds and the functoriality of link Floer homology
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• Localisations of cobordism categories and invertible TFTs in dimension two
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1963531 (Why is no real title available?)
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• Introductory lectures on topological quantum field theory
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• Relating Cut and Paste Invariants and Tqfts
• STATE SUM CONSTRUCTION OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL OPEN-CLOSED TOPOLOGICAL QUANTUM FIELD THEORIES
• Quantization of algebraic invariants through Topological Quantum Field Theories
• Corks, involutions, and Heegaard Floer homology
• Evaluating TQFT invariants from G-crossed braided spherical fusion categories via Kirby diagrams with 3-handles
• A diagrammatic presentation of the category 3Cob
• Invertible topological field theories
• A graphical language for quantum protocols based on the category of cobordisms
• Abelian TQFTS and Schrödinger local systems
• Higher categories of push-pull spans. I: Construction and applications
• The Lyubashenko modular functor for Drinfeld centers via non-semisimple string-nets
• Graph cobordisms and Heegaard Floer homology
• The surface category and tropical curves
• Skein (3+1)-TQFTs from non-semisimple ribbon categories

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