Rank-one 4d $\mathcal N=3$ SCFTs: Schur index, VOA modules, and modularity

Abstract

We study the representation theory of the vertex operator algebras (VOAs) associated with rank-one 4d $\mathcal{N} = 3$ superconformal field theories. For the $\mathbb{Z}_3$ S-fold theory, whose VOA $\mathcal{W}_{\mathbb{Z}_3}$ has central charge $c_{\mathrm{2d}} = -15$, we use the $\mathcal{N} = 1$ Lagrangian description to obtain the unflavored Schur index in terms of Dedekind eta functions, while Wilson-loop indices yield the unflavored non-vacuum characters. These characters all solve a modular linear differential equation (MLDE) whose solution space also contains a logarithmic character. Combining flavored MLDEs from null states with Zhu's associative algebra and a free-field realization, we study four highest-weight modules of $\mathcal{W}_{\mathbb{Z}_3}$ and their flavored characters in closed form. A parallel analysis applies to the $\mathcal{N} = 3$ theories obtained by gauging a discrete $\mathbb{Z}_n$ flavor subgroup of $\mathcal{N} = 4$ $U(1)$ and $SU(2)$ super-Yang--Mills, for which we also obtain closed-form Schur indices and a new free-field realization of the VOA of the $\mathbb{Z}_4$ quotient.