Generalised global symmetries

Thesis

Higher-form (p-form) symmetries are symmetries whose charged objects are extended operators of spacetime dimension p. They exist as a natural mathematical extension of the ordinary symmetries of quantum field theory, which are correspondingly 0-form. Exploring the implications of these generalised symmetries has proven to be an exciting area of research for theoretical and mathematical physics. We offer the original computation of the 1-form symmetry associated to a gauge theory with Abelian kinetic mixing of two U(1) gauge sectors. We demonstrate that the symmetry is invariant under the strength of coupling and that explicit symmetry breaking occurs in the presence of both visible and hidden fermions. We also motivate a new potential signal for the detection of dark U(1) sectors using the 1-form symmetry of the theory.

Authors: Griffin, F

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-z6dm7pyyn
• Type of award: MSc
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: high-energy physics; phenomenology; quantum field theory
• Subjects: High-energy physics; Theoretical physics