Transparent Subalgebras and Local Module Categories

Abstract

Let $A$ be a commutative simple algebra in a braided finite tensor category $\mathcal{B}$. We identify the largest transparent subalgebra of $A$ as the algebra induced by a central lift of the free-module functor. This identification gives formulas for the Frobenius-Perron dimension and the M\"uger center of the category of local $A$-modules. These formulas give criteria for nondegeneracy, symmetry, and modularity, together with sharp bounds on $\mathrm{FPdim}_{\mathcal{B}}(A)$. We also realize the M\"uger center of $\mathcal{B}$ as a category of local modules over an adjoint algebra. Finally, we prove a relative-center factorization and deduce that taking the category of local modules preserves the relative Witt class.