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Non-compact Chern-Simons Theory, Positive Representations, and Cluster Varieties

Project description

Cluster algebras in representation theory and field theory

Over the past 30 years, close connections between the Chern-Simons theory, supersymmetric (SUSY) gauge theory and quantum group representation theory have caused a surge in research activities in mathematics and physics. The EU-funded NCST project will use quantum cluster varieties to develop a positive representation theory of quantum groups and a non-compact analogue of the Chern-Simons theory. It will also obtain new invariants of links and 3-manifolds and establish new connections between SUSY gauge theories and quantum character varieties. The project will build on previous work conducted by project members who proved fundamental cases of the Fock-Goncharov modular functor conjecture in higher Teichmüller theory and Gaiotto's conjecture on the existence of cluster structures on certain SUSY gauge theories.

Objective

Over the past 30 years, deep connections between Chern–Simons theory, supersymmetric (SUSY) gauge theory, and representation theory of quantum groups, have caused an avalanche of research in mathematics and physics. In this proposal I use quantum cluster varieties to develop positive representation theory of quantum groups and a non-compact analogue of Chern–Simons theory. I also obtain new invariants of links and 3-manifolds, and establish new connections between SUSY gauge theories and quantum character varieties. This proposal builds on my prior work, where I prove fundamental cases of the Fock–Goncharov modular functor conjecture in higher Teichmüller theory, and Gaiotto’s conjecture on the existence of cluster structure on K-theoretic Coulomb branches of 3d N = 4 SUSY gauge theories. The proposal is split into the following four projects:

1. Prove the modular functor conjecture and extend it to a non-compact analogue of Chern–Simons theory. Obtain new powerful invariants of links and 3-manifolds.

2. Develop positive representation theory: construct continuous braided monoidal category from positive representations, prove non-compact Peter–Weyl theorem, obtain explicit formulas for finite-dimensional 6j-symbols, prove that the category of positive representations of quantum groups in type A is equivalent to a fusion category in Toda conformal field theory.

3. Describe cluster structure on K-theoretic Coulomb branches of 3d N = 4 SUSY gauge theories, conjectured by Gaiotto. Obtain cluster structure on spherical double affine Hecke algebra, and Slodowy intersections. Provide an algorithm, identifying certain theories of class S with quiver gauge theories.

4. Relate cluster quantization of character varieties with the topological quantum field theory constructed by Ben-Zvi, Brochier, and Jordan. Use it to obtain a canonical quantization of the A-polynomial.

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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ERC-STG - Starting Grant

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2020-STG

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Host institution

THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 497 425,00
Address
OLD COLLEGE, SOUTH BRIDGE
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
United Kingdom

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Region
Scotland Eastern Scotland Edinburgh
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 497 425,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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