Vacuum structure of bifundamental gauge theories at finite topological angles

Abstract

We discuss possible vacuum structures of SU(n) × SU(n) gauge theories with bifundamental matters at finite θ angles. In order to give a precise constraint, a mixed ’t Hooft anomaly is studied in detail by gauging the center ℤn one-form symmetry of the bifundamental gauge theory. We propose phase diagrams that are consistent with the con-straints, and also give a heuristic explanation of the result based on the dual superconductor scenario of confinement.