Circular symmetry-breaking and topological Noether currents

Abstract

We propose a toy model for the algebraic topology of bubbling as circular symmetry-breaking, in terms of asymptotic expressions for Noether currents and cobordism of manifolds with circle actions free along boundaries. This leads to an interpretation of Planck's radiation law as the loss of a Noether symmetry when a bubble $[S^2/\mathbb{T}] \to {\rm pt}$ (analogous to blowing up or down in projective geometry) collapses, much like the von K\'arm\'an street of sparks left when a candle flame wisps out.