BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Mean string field theory - Nabil Iqbal (Durham)
DTSTART:20220303T130000Z
DTEND:20220303T140000Z
UID:TALK168575@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:85816
DESCRIPTION:Just as conventional global symmetries result in a conserved p
 article number\, higher-form global symmetries are associated with a conse
 rved density of higher dimensional objects\, such as strings or branes. Ma
 ny well-known systems possess such symmetries. I will present an overview 
 of the applications of such symmetries and discuss the prospect of using t
 hem to enlarge the usual Landau classification of the phases of matter. I 
 will then describe the construction of a continuum Landau-Ginzburg theory 
 to describe the spontaneous breaking of a higher-form symmetry. As the ord
 er parameter is an operator that creates a string\, the framework can be t
 hought of as a kind of "mean string field theory" that provides a non-pert
 urbative description where effective strings can be created and destroyed.
  I will argue that many aspects of higher form symmetries — including th
 e phase structure\, the behavior of line operators\, and the dynamics of G
 oldstone modes — can be transparently understood in this framework. 
LOCATION:Potter Room\, DAMTP
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR