Line operators in theories of class $\mathcal{S}$, quantized moduli space of flat connections, and Toda field theory

Abstract

Non-perturbative aspects of $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric gauge theories of class $\mathcal{S}$ are deeply encoded in the algebra of functions on the moduli space ${\mathcal{M}}_{\text{flat}}$ of flat $SL(N)$-connections on Riemann surfaces. Expectation values of Wilson and 't Hooft line operators are related to holonomies of flat connections, and expectation values of line operators in the low-energy effective theory are related to Fock-Goncharov coordinates on ${\mathcal{M}}_{\text{flat}}$. Via the decomposition of UV line operators into IR line operators, we determine their noncommutative algebra from the quantization of Fock-Goncharov Laurent polynomials, and find that it coincides with the skein algebra studied in the context of Chern-Simons theory. Another realization of the skein algebra is generated by Verlinde network operators in Toda field theory. Comparing the spectra of these two realizations provides non-trivial support for their equivalence. Our results can be viewed as evidence for the generalization of the AGT correspondence to higher-rank class $\mathcal{S}$ theories.

90 pages, 49 figures