Permutations of Massive Vacua

We discuss the permutation group G of massive vacua of four-dimensional gauge theories with N=1 supersymmetry that arises upon tracing loops in the space of couplings. We concentrate on superconformal N=4 and N=2 theories with N=1 supersymmetry preserving mass deformations. The permutation group G of massive vacua is the Galois group of characteristic polynomials for the vacuum expectation values of chiral observables. We provide various techniques to effectively compute characteristic polynomials in given theories, and we deduce the existence of varying symmetry breaking patterns of the duality group depending on the gauge algebra and matter content of the theory. Our examples give rise to interesting field extensions of spaces of modular forms.Comment: 44 pages, 1 figur

The Galois group of a stable homotopy theory

To a "stable homotopy theory" (a presentable, symmetric monoidal stable $\infty$-category), we naturally associate a category of finite \'etale algebra objects and, using Grothendieck's categorical machine, a profinite group that we call the Galois group. We then calculate the Galois groups in several examples. For instance, we show that the Galois group of the periodic $\mathbf{E}_\infty$-algebra of topological modular forms is trivial and that the Galois group of $K(n)$-local stable homotopy theory is an extended version of the Morava stabilizer group. We also describe the Galois group of the stable module category of a finite group. A fundamental idea throughout is the purely categorical notion of a "descendable" algebra object and an associated analog of faithfully flat descent in this context.Comment: 93 pages. To appear in Advances in Mathematic

Galois Groups in Rational Conformal Field Theory

It was established before that fusion rings in a rational conformal field theory (RCFT) can be described as rings of polynomials, with integer coefficients, modulo some relations. We use the Galois group of these relations to obtain a local set of equation for the points of the fusion variety. These equations are sufficient to classify all the RCFT, Galois group by Galois group. It is shown that the Galois group is equivalent to the pseudo RCFT group. We prove that the Galois groups encountered in RCFT are all abelian, implying solvability by radicals of the modular matrix.Comment: 24 pages. Typos correcte

Some aspects of semi-abelian homology and protoadditive functors

In this note some recent developments in the study of homology in semi-abelian categories are briefly presented. In particular the role of protoadditive functors in the study of Hopf formulae for homology is explained.Comment: 7 page

Protoadditive functors, derived torsion theories and homology

Protoadditive functors are designed to replace additive functors in a non-abelian setting. Their properties are studied, in particular in relationship with torsion theories, Galois theory, homology and factorisation systems. It is shown how a protoadditive torsion-free reflector induces a chain of derived torsion theories in the categories of higher extensions, similar to the Galois structures of higher central extensions previously considered in semi-abelian homological algebra. Such higher central extensions are also studied, with respect to Birkhoff subcategories whose reflector is protoadditive or, more generally, factors through a protoadditive reflector. In this way we obtain simple descriptions of the non-abelian derived functors of the reflectors via higher Hopf formulae. Various examples are considered in the categories of groups, compact groups, internal groupoids in a semi-abelian category, and other ones