3d TQFTs and 3-manifold invariants (2401.10587v1)

Abstract: This is an invited contribution to the 2nd edition of the Encyclopedia of Mathematical Physics. We give an overview of 3-dimensional topological quantum field theories (TQFTs) and the corresponding quantum invariants of 3-manifolds. We recall the main algebraic concepts and constructions, such as modular and spherical fusion categories, the Witten-Reshetikhin-Turaev and Turaev-Viro theories, and the relation between these two TQFTs. We also briefly discuss generalizations of these constructions by providing a (non-exhaustive) review of some recent works on 3-dimensional extended TQFTs, defect TQFTs, homotopy QFTs, and non-semisimple TQFTs.