Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: We present a systematic study of finite, non-split 2-group symmetries with a non-trivial Postnikov class, focusing on the simplest example with a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ 0-form symmetry and a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ 1-form symmetry, intertwined together by the non-trivial Postnikov class in $H^3(B\mathbb{Z}_2;\mathbb{Z}_2)\cong\mathbb{Z}_2$, denoted by $\mathcal{G}$. We classify the anomalies of this 2-group symmetry for physical theories in $d$-dimensional spacetime, by computing the oriented bordism groups $Ω_{d+1}^{\rm SO}(B\mathcal{G})$ and the spin bordism groups $Ω_{d+1}^{\rm Spin}(B\mathcal{G})$ for $d\leq 5$. For the case of $d=3$, we investigate the Symmetry TFT/TO of the 2-group symmetry $\mathcal{G}$ using the language of fusion 2-categories, as well as (3+1)D TQFT actions, for the cases without or with the 2-group anomaly classified by $\operatorname{Hom}\left(\widetildeΩ_4^{\rm SO}(B\mathcal{G}),U(1)\right) \cong H^4(B\mathcal{G};U(1))\cong\mathbb{Z}_2$. We classify the minimal topological and physical boundary conditions of the Symmetry TFTs, and carry out the categorical Landau paradigm for such a non-split finite 2-group.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Gu, Zhenbang, Luo, Ran, Wang, Yi-Nan, Zhang, Yi
Language: English
Subfield: Mathematical Physics
Field: Mathematics
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7202188807