In this note, we discuss the notion of symmetric self-duality of shaded planar algebras, which allows us to lift shadings on subfactor planar algebras to obtain Z/2Z-graded unitary fusion categories. This finishes the proof that there are unitary fusion categories with fusion graphs 4442 and 3333.

Bisch and Jones proposed the classification of planar algebras by simple generators and relations. They investigated with the second author the classification of planar algebras generated by 2-boxes. In this paper, we classify singly-generated Thurston-relation planar algebras, defined as subfactor planar algebras generated by a 3-box satisfying a relation proposed by Dylan Thurston. Our main result shows that such subfactor planar algebras are either the E6 subfactor planar algebras or belong to a two-parameter family of planar algebras arising from the representations of type A quantum groups. We introduce a new method for determining positivity of the Markov trace of planar algebras in this family.

Quon language is a 3D picture language that we can apply to simulate mathematical concepts. We introduce the surface algebras as an extension of the notion of planar algebras to higher genus surface. We prove that there is a unique one-parameter extension. The 2D defects on the surfaces are quons, and surface tangles are transformations. We use quon language to simulate graphic states that appear in quantum information, and to simulate interesting quantities in modular tensor categories. This simulation relates the pictorial Fourier duality of surface tangles and the algebraic Fourier duality induced by the S matrix of the modular tensor category. The pictorial Fourier duality also coincides with the graphic duality on the sphere. For each pair of dual graphs, we obtain an algebraic identity related to the S matrix. These identities include well-known ones, such as the Verlinde formula; partially known ones, such as the 6j-symbol self-duality; and completely new ones.