Pure mathematics

Mathematics

Mathematical physics

Abelian group

Symmetry breaking

Theoretical physics

Quantum mechanics

Homogeneous space

Spontaneous symmetry breaking

Global symmetry

Seiberg duality

Symmetry (geometry)

Instanton

Anomaly (physics)

Gauge symmetry

Gauge theory

Geometry

Supersymmetric gauge theory

Physics

Gauge anomaly

Journal of High Energy Physics

A bstract All five-dimensional non-abelian gauge theories have a U(1) I global symmetry associated with instantonic particles. We describe an obstruction to coupling U(1) I to a classical background gauge field that occurs whenever the theory has a one-form center symmetry. This is a finite-order mixed ’t Hooft anomaly between the two symmetries. We also show that a similar obstruction takes place in gauge theories with fundamental matter by studying twisted bundles for the ordinary flavor symmetry. We explore some general dynamical properties of the candidate phases implied by the anomaly. Finally, we apply our results to supersymmetric gauge theories in five dimensions and analyze the symmetry enhancement patterns occurring at their conjectured RG fixed points.

Instantons, symmetries and anomalies in five dimensions