Nonabelian Gauged Linear Sigma Model

The gauged linear sigma model(GLSM for short) is a 2 d quantum field theory introduced by Witten twenty years ago. Since then, it has been investigated extensively in physics by Hori and others. Recently, an algebro-geometric theory(for both abelian and nonabelian GLSMs) was developed by the author and his collaborators so that he can start to rigorously compute its invariants and check against physical predications. The abelian GLSM was relatively better understood and is the focus of current mathematical investigation. In this article, the author would like to look over the horizon and consider the nonabelian GLSM. The nonabelian case possesses some new features unavailable to the abelian GLSM. To aid the future mathematical development, the author surveys some of the key problems inspired by physics in the nonabelian GLSM.

The gauged linear sigma model （GLSM for short） is a 2d quantum field theory introduced by Witten twenty years ago. Since then, it has been investigated extensively in physics by Hori and others. Recently, an algebro-geometric theory （for both abelian and nonabelian GLSMs） was developed by the author and his collaborators so that he can start to rigorously compute its invariants and check against physical predications. The abelian GLSM was relatively better understood and is the focus of current mathematical investigation. In this article, the author would like to look over the horizon and consider the nonabelian GLSM. The nonabelian case possesses some new features unavailable to the ahelian GLSM. To aid the future mathematical development, the author surveys some of the key problems inspired by physics in the nonabelian GLSM.