On topological defects in Chern-Simons theory
Alex S. Arvanitakis, Lewis T. Cole, Saskia Demulder, Daniel C. Thompson · arXiv (Cornell University) · 2024
We construct a new class of topological surface defects in Chern-Simons theory with non-compact, non-Abelian gauge groups. These defects are characterized by isotropic subalgebras defined by solutions of the modified classical Yang-Baxter equation, and their fusion realizes a semi-group structure with non-invertible elements. From a Hamiltonian perspective, we calculate this fusion using the composition of Lagrangian correspondences within the Weinstein symplectic category. Applications include boundary terms and conditions in $AdS_3$ gravity and higher-spin theories.