Cluster algebras were conceived by Fomin and Zelevinsky (1) in the spring of 2000 as a tool for studying dual canonical bases and total positivity in semisimple Lie groups. However, the theory of cluster algebras has since taken on a life of its own, as connections and applications have been discovered in diverse areas of mathematics, including representation theory of quivers and finite dimensional algebras, cf., for example, refs. 2⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓–15; Poisson geometry (16⇓⇓–19); Teichmuller theory (20⇓⇓⇓–24); string theory (25⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓–31); discrete dynamical systems and integrability (6, 32⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓–38); and combinatorics (39⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓–47).

Quite remarkably, cluster algebras provide a unifying algebraic and combinatorial framework for a wide variety of phenomena in these and other settings. We refer the reader to the survey papers (36, 48⇓⇓⇓⇓–53) and to the cluster algebras portal (www.math.lsa.umich.edu/~fomin/cluster.html) for various introductions to cluster algebras and their links with other subjects in mathematics (and physics).

In brief, a cluster algebra A of rank k is a subring of an ambient field ℱ of rational functions in k variables, say x 1, …, x k . Unlike most commutative rings, a cluster algebra is not presented at the outset via a complete set of generators and relations. Instead, from the data of the initial seed — which includes the k initial cluster variables x 1, …, x k , plus an exchange matrix — one uses an iterative procedure called “mutation” to produce the rest of the cluster variables. In particular, each new cluster … 

[↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: williams{at}math.berkeley.edu.

 [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/111/27/9676.full.pdf

Cluster algebras

We study the $${\mathcal{N}=2}$$
 four-dimensional superconformal index in various interesting limits, such that only states annihilated by more than one supercharge contribute. Extrapolating from the SU(2) generalized quivers, which have a Lagrangian description, we conjecture explicit formulae for all A-type quivers of class $${\mathcal S}$$
 , which in general do not have one. We test our proposals against several expected dualities. The index can always be interpreted as a correlator in a two-dimensional topological theory, which we identify in each limit as a certain deformation of two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory. The structure constants of the topological algebra are diagonal in the basis of Macdonald polynomials of the holonomies.

/pdf/gauge-theories-and-macdonald-polynomials-22tq2rq2fd.pdf

Gauge Theories and Macdonald Polynomials

We engineer a large new set of four-dimensional $\mathcal{N} = 1$
 superconformal field theories by wrapping M5-branes on complex curves. We present new supersymmetric AdS
 5 M-theory backgrounds which describe these fixed points at large N, and then directly construct the dual four-dimensional CFTs for a certain subset of these solutions. Additionally, we provide a direct check of the central charges of these theories by using the M5-brane anomaly polynomial. This is a companion paper which elaborates upon results reported in [1].

Four-dimensional SCFTs from M5-branes

We study the N=2 four-dimensional superconformal index in various interesting limits, such that only states annihilated by more than one supercharge contribute. Extrapolating from the SU(2) generalized quivers, which have a Lagrangian description, we conjecture explicit formulae for all A-type quivers of class S, which in general do not have one. We test our proposals against several expected dualities. The index can always be interpreted as a correlator in a two-dimensional topological theory, which we identify in each limit as a certain deformation of two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory. The structure constants of the topological algebra are diagonal in the basis of Macdonald polynomials of the holonomies.

/pdf/gauge-theories-and-macdonald-polynomials-3h2zvi4pnb.pdf

We give a brief overview of the string landscape and techniques used to construct string compactifications. We then explain how this motivates the notion of the swampland and review a number of conjectures that attempt to characterize theories in the swampland. We also compare holography in the context of superstrings with the similar, but much simpler case of topological string theory. For topological strings, there is a direct definition of topological gravity based on a sum over a “quantum gravitational foam.” In this context, holography is the statement of an identification between a gravity and gauge theory, both of which are defined independently of one another. This points to a missing corner in string dualities which suggests the search for a direct definition of quantum theory of gravity rather than relying on its strongly coupled holographic dual as an adequate substitute. (Based on TASI 2017 lectures given by C. Vafa).

/pdf/the-string-landscape-the-swampland-and-the-missing-corner-3j54bvkchn.pdf

The String Landscape, the Swampland, and the Missing Corner

We explore the relationship between four-dimensional N = 2 quantum eld theories and their associated BPS quivers. For a wide class of theories including super-Yang-Mills theories, Argyres-Douglas models, and theories dened by M5-branes on punctured Riemann surfaces, there exists a quiver which implicitly characterizes the eld theory. We

N = 2 Quantum Field Theories and Their BPS Quivers

We study the BPS spectra of ${\mathcal{N}=2}$ complete quantum field theories in four dimensions. For examples that can be described by a pair of M5 branes on a punctured Riemann surface we explain how triangulations of the surface fix a BPS quiver and superpotential for the theory. The BPS spectrum can then be determined by solving the quantum mechanics problem encoded by the quiver. By analyzing the structure of this quantum mechanics we show that all asymptotically free examples, Argyres-Douglas models, and theories defined by punctured spheres and tori have a chamber with finitely many BPS states. In all such cases we determine the spectrum.

BPS Quivers and Spectra of Complete N=2 Quantum Field Theories

We study the BPS spectra of N=2 complete quantum field theories in four dimensions. For examples that can be described by a pair of M5 branes on a punctured Riemann surface we explain how triangulations of the surface fix a BPS quiver and superpotential for the theory. The BPS spectrum can then be determined by solving the quantum mechanics problem encoded by the quiver. By analyzing the structure of this quantum mechanics we show that all asymptotically free examples, Argyres-Douglas models, and theories defined by punctured spheres and tori have a chamber with finitely many BPS states. In all such cases we determine the spectrum.

We explore the relationship between four-dimensional $\mathcal{N} = 2$ quantum field theories and their associated BPS quivers. For a wide class of theories including super-Yang-Mills theories, Argyres-Douglas models, and theories defined by M5-branes on punctured Riemann surfaces, there exists a quiver which implicitly characterizes the field theory. We study various aspects of this correspondence including the quiver interpretation of flavor symmetries, gauging, decoupling limits, and field theory dualities. In general a given quiver describes only a patch of the moduli space of the field theory, and a key role is played by quantum mechanical dualities, encoded by quiver mutations, which relate distinct quivers valid in different patches. Analyzing the consistency conditions imposed on the spectrum by these dualities results in a powerful and novel mutation method for determining the BPS states. We apply our method to determine the BPS spectrum in a wide class of examples, including the strong coupling spectrum of super-Yang-Mills with an ADE gauge group and fundamental matter, and trinion theories defined by M5-branes on spheres with three punctures.

https://www.intlpress.com/site/pub/files/_fulltext/journals/atmp/2014/0018/0001/ATMP-2014-0018-0001-a002.pdf

$\mathcal{N} = 2$ quantum field theories and their BPS quivers

Three-dimensional N=2 superconformal field theories are constructed by compactifying M5-branes on three-manifolds. In the infrared the branes recombine, and the physics is captured by a single M5-brane on a branched cover of the original ultraviolet geometry. The branch locus is a tangle, a one-dimensional knotted submanifold of the ultraviolet geometry. A choice of branch sheet for this cover yields a Lagrangian for the theory, and varying the branch sheet provides dual descriptions. Massless matter arises from vanishing size M2-branes and appears as singularities of the tangle where branch lines collide. Massive deformations of the field theory correspond to resolutions of singularities resulting in distinct smooth manifolds connected by geometric transitions. A generalization of Reidemeister moves for singular tangles captures mirror symmetries of the underlying theory yielding a geometric framework where dualities are manifest.

Sam Espahbodi

Papers

N = 2 Quantum Field Theories and Their BPS Quivers

BPS Quivers and Spectra of Complete N=2 Quantum Field Theories

BPS Quivers and Spectra of Complete N=2 Quantum Field Theories

$\mathcal{N} = 2$ quantum field theories and their BPS quivers

Tangles, Generalized Reidemeister Moves, and Three-Dimensional Mirror Symmetry