[Physics] Realization of Witten-type topological quantum field theory in condensed matter physics

condensed-matterresearch-leveltopological-field-theorytopological-order

It is well-known that some exotic phases in condensed matter physics are described by Schwarz-type TQFTs, such as Chern-Simons theory of quantum Hall states. My question is whether there are condensed matter systems that can realize Witten-type TQFTs?

Best Answer

The TQFTs that Witten introduced are those obtained by a topological twist of a supersymmetric field theory. This includes notably the A-model and the B-model TQFTs.

Despite what seems to be suggested in the comments here and on Wikipedia, these are also "Schwarz type" (come from the Poisson sigma-model) and they do have a desciption in terms of functorial TQFT if only one allows what are called (infinity,1)-functors: they are "TCFTs" (i.e. non-compact 2d homotopy TQFTs).

Now, under homological Mirror symmetry these are related to other TCFTs known as Landau-Ginzburg models. And these do have applications in solid state physics.