Lectures on chiral algebras of $\mathcal{N} \geqslant 2$ superconformal field theories

Abstract

Any four-dimensional $\mathcal{N} \geqslant 2$ superconformal field theory possess a protected subsector isomorphic to a two-dimensional chiral algebra \cite{Beem:2013sza}. The goal of these lectures is to provide an introduction to the subject, covering the construction of the chiral algebras, the consequences for four-dimensional physics, as well as a brief summary of recent progress. This is the writeup of the lectures given at the Winter School "YRISW 2020" to appear in a special issue of JPhysA.