Infrared Phases of 2d Abelian Gauge Theories: from the Schwinger model to Symmetric Mass Generation

by Dr Bernardo Zan (Università di Genova)

Monday 9 Feb 2026, 14:30 → 16:00 Europe/Rome

Aula Conversi (Dipartimento di Fisica-Ed. F.MarconiAula Conversi)

Two dimensional gauge theories play an important role in high energy theory, as toy models for higher dimensional gauge theories, as well as in condensed matter and many-body physics. I will discuss some recent results in understanding the IR phases of some abelian gauge theories. As an example, by using semiclassical arguments, bosonization techniques and numerics, I will be able to map out the phase diagram for the two-flavor Schwinger model as we vary fermion masses. Finally, I will discuss theories that are coupled in a chiral way to a U(1) global symmetry. This prevents mass terms from the theory, but I will show how non-perturbative effects can still gap out the fermions; this is the phenomenon of symmetric mass generation.

Rome 2026.pdf