On refined Chern–Simons and refined ABJ matrix models

Abstract

AbstractWe consider the matrix model of U(N) refined Chern–Simons theory on $$S^3$$ S 3 for the unknot. We derive a q-difference operator whose insertion in the matrix integral reproduces an infinite set of Ward identities which we interpret as q-Virasoro constraints. The constraints are rewritten as difference equations for the generating function of Wilson loop expectation values which we solve as a recursion for the correlators of the model. The solution is repackaged in the form of superintegrability formulas for Macdonald polynomials. Additionally, we derive an equivalent q-difference operator for a similar refinement of ABJ theory and show that the corresponding q-Virasoro constraints are equal to those of refined Chern–Simons for a gauge super-group U(N|M). Our equations and solutions are manifestly symmetric under Langlands duality $$q\leftrightarrow t^{-1}$$ q ↔ t - 1 which correctly reproduces 3d Seiberg duality when q is a specific root of unity.