Chiral algebras from Ω-deformation

Abstract: In the presence of an $\Omega$-deformation, local operators generate a chiral algebra in the topological-holomorphic twist of a four-dimensional $\mathcal{N} = 2$ supersymmetric field theory. We show that for a unitary $\mathcal{N} = 2$ superconformal field theory, the chiral algebra thus defined is isomorphic to the one introduced by Beem et al. Our definition of the chiral algebra covers nonconformal theories with insertions of suitable surface defects.