Global 3-group symmetry and ’t Hooft anomalies in axion electrodynamics
Yoshimasa Hidaka, Muneto Nitta, Ryo Yokokura
Abstract
A bstract We investigate a higher-group structure of massless axion electrodynamics in (3 + 1) dimensions. By using the background gauging method, we show that the higher-form symmetries necessarily have a global semistrict 3-group (2-crossed module) structure, and exhibit ’t Hooft anomalies of the 3-group. In particular, we find a cubic mixed ’t Hooft anomaly between 0-form and 1-form symmetries, which is specific to the higher-group structure.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsAxionMassless particleHomogeneous spaceAnomaly (physics)Quantum electrodynamicsSymmetry (geometry)Theoretical physicsParticle physicsGlobal symmetryFermionChiral symmetryMixed anomalyMathematical physicsSymmetry breakingCoupling (piping)Effective field theoryQuantum mechanicsGauge theoryU-1Dark Matter and Cosmic PhenomenaParticle physics theoretical and experimental studiesBlack Holes and Theoretical Physics