Developments on Generalized Symmetries of Quantum Systems

Session

Talks

12 May 2026, 10:00

Aulario de la Merced (Universidad de Murcia)

1. Entanglement Asymmetry for Higher and Noninvertible Symmetries

Francesco Benini (SISSA, Trieste)

12/05/2026, 10:00

Abstract

Entanglement asymmetry is a measure of symmetry breaking in quantum
subsystems, inspired by quantum information theory, particularly
suited to study out-of-equilibrium states. In the first part of the
talk I will overview this new observable, highlighting some of the key
phenomena it captures, and presenting computations in conformal field
theory. In the second part of the...

2. Entropic order parameters and topological holography

Javier Molina-Vilaplana (Cartagena Politecnica U.)

12/05/2026, 11:30

Abstract

We show that the symmetry topological field theory (SymTFT) construction, also known as the topological holography, provides a natural and intuitive framework for the entropic order parameter characterising phases with (partially) broken symmetries. Various examples of group and non-invertible symmetries are studied. In particular, the origin of the distinguishability of the vacua...

3. Higher-form entanglement asymmetry

Eduardo García-Valdecasas (SISSA, Trieste)

12/05/2026, 12:30

Abstract

Entanglement asymmetry is a relative entropy that faithfully diagnoses symmetry breaking in quantum states, possibly within a spatial subregion. In this work, we extend such framework to higher-form symmetries and compute entanglement asymmetry in theories with spontaneously-broken continuous zero- and higher-form symmetries. One of our central results is an entropic...

4. Automorphism is All You Need: Transversal Non-Clifford Gates in 2+1D and Higher Symmetries from Automorphism

Po-Shen Hsin (King's College London)

12/05/2026, 15:00

Abstract

We study automorphism in twisted gauge theories and discover they can give rise to generalized symmetries such as higher group and/or non-invertible symmetries. Using the automorphism symmetry, we discover transversal non-Clifford logical gates such as T gate in Clifford stabilizer models in 2+1D as well as CCZ gate in 5+1D self correcting non-Abelian quantum memory. The talk is...

5. Categorical symmetries in tensor network algorithms

Weronika Wiesiolek (Cambridge U., DAMTP)

12/05/2026, 16:30

Abstract

Tensor networks give a very natural representation of systems with generalised symmetries, where the symmetry is described by a unitary fusion category. This talk will define in simple terms what those symmetries are, and how they are represented on discrete quantum systems (often spin systems) using tensor networks. Additionally, I will explain how to use those special tensor...

14. Spontaneous quantum turbulence via U(1) symmetry-breaking phase transition in a Bose gas

Seong-Ho Shinn (University of Luxembourg)

12/05/2026, 17:10

Abstract

The Kibble-Zurek mechanism (KZM) predicts the spontaneous formation of topological defects in a continuous phase transition driven at a finite rate. We propose the generation of spontaneous quantum turbulence (SQT) via the KZM during Bose-Einstein condensation induced by a thermal quench. Using numerical simulations of the stochastic projected Gross-Pitaevskii equation in two...

6. SymTFT for spacetime symmetries

Fabio Apruzzi (U. Padua, Dept. Phys. Astron. and INFN, Padua)

13/05/2026, 10:00

Abstract

I will describe a proposal for a Symmetry Topological Field Theory (SymTFT) for continuous spacetime symmetries. For a d-dimensional theory, this is formulated as a (d+1)-dimensional BF theory for the spacetime symmetry group, with Chern–Simons terms in even d that encode conformal and gravitational anomalies. Focusing in particular on conformal symmetry, I will discuss boundary...

9. Non-BPS branes as holographic symmetry operators

Diego Rodríguez-Gómez (Oviedo U.)

13/05/2026, 11:30

Abstract

In the modern approach, symmetries are described by a sector of topological defects within a quantum system. This begs the natural question, with potential far reaching implications for quantum gravity, about the holographic description of symmetries within this paradigm. In this talk we will review recent developments in this direction, specially for continuous symmetries. We will...

10. Non-Abelian Continuous Symmetries and Branes in Holography

Enoch Leung (Leipzig, Max Planck Inst.)

13/05/2026, 12:30

Abstract

We study topological operators that generate continuous symmetries in the context of holography. We show that such operators can be universally modeled as solitonic branes in the supergravity bulk, whose ends are anchored on the conformal boundary with a finite separation. This holographic realization mirrors the field-theoretic regularization of symmetry operators in terms of...

11. Kramers-Wannier duality, non-invertible symmetries and All That

Germán Sierra (Madrid U.)

13/05/2026, 15:00

Abstract

Kramers–Wannier duality is one of the central ideas in statistical mechanics, relating the high- and low-temperature phases of the Ising model and leading to the exact determination of the critical point. In recent years, it has also emerged as a prototype of a non-invertible symmetry.

In this talk we revisit the duality of the quantum Ising chain from a modern perspective,...

7. Gapless exotic-foliated dual models and their duality defects

Salvatore Mancani (Padua U.)

13/05/2026, 16:30

Abstract

We construct Symmetry Topological Field Theories (SymTFTs) for continuous subsystem symmetries, which are inherently non-Lorentz-invariant. Our framework, which we call Mille-feuille, produces two dual bulk descriptions -- gapped foliated and exotic -- that generate gapless boundary theories via interval compactification. In this way, we obtain foliated dual realizations of various...

8. Emergent Hamiltonians from boundary symmetries

José Garre-Rubio (Madrid, IFT)

13/05/2026, 17:10

Abstract

We introduce a systematic framework to obtain emergent local, commuting Hamiltonians in (d+1) dimensions from abelian symmetries living on a d-dimensional boundary. Starting from a generic d-dim globally symmetric system, we iteratively gauge its abelian symmetry, thereby introducing layers of gauge fields carrying dual symmetries that can themselves be gauged again. The fixed...

13. Symmetry Tools for Soft Theorems

Luigi Tizzano (CERN)

14/05/2026, 10:00

Abstract

In this talk, I will explain how leading soft photon theorems in QED can be understood from the perspective of generalized global symmetries. Using HQET and SCET, the soft sector is described by Wilson lines for massive and massless charged particles, making an emergent electric 1-form symmetry manifest. I will then show that this symmetry enhances to an infinite-dimensional...

12. Global Aspects of 3-Form Fields in Axion Yang-Mills Systems

Mohamed M. Anber (Durham U., CPT)

14/05/2026, 11:30

Abstract

Generalized symmetries have proved crucial for understanding quantum fields. In this talk, I highlight the role of higher-form symmetries within the axion Yang-Mills theory. This system exhibits an emergent 2-form symmetry, which must be gauged to satisfy certain 't Hooft anomaly matching conditions. The resulting 3-form gauge theory provides a compelling description of the...

18. Gauge theories for fractons and Carroll symmetries

Patricio Salgado-Rebolledo

14/05/2026, 12:30

Abstract

Effective models for fracton gauge fields can be constructed by gauging extensions of the Aristotelian algebra that include an Abelian charge and its associated dipole moment. Alternatively, such gauge theories can be obtained from Cosserat elasticity via dualization. Using the relation between dipole preserving symmetries and Carrollian algebras, these models can be generalized to...