Fracton phases via exotic higher-form symmetry-breaking

Qi, Marvin; Radzihovsky, Leo; Hermele, Michael

doi:10.1016/j.aop.2020.168360

Fracton phases via exotic higher-form symmetry-breaking

Journal Article · Thu Nov 26 00:00:00 EST 2020 · Annals of Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aop.2020.168360· OSTI ID:1762131

Qi, Marvin ^[1]; Radzihovsky, Leo ^[2]; ^[2]

Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); University of Colorado Boulder
Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)

We study p-string condensation mechanisms for fracton phases from the viewpoint of higher-form symmetry, focusing on the examples of the X-cube model and the rank-two symmetric-tensor scalar charge theory. This work is motivated by questions of the relationship between fracton phases and continuum quantum field theories, and also provides general principles to describe p-string condensation independent of specific lattice model constructions. We give a perspective on higher-form symmetry in lattice models in terms of cellular homology. Applying this perspective to the coupled-layer construction of the X-cube model, we identify a foliated 1-form symmetry that is broken in the X-cube phase, but preserved in the phase of decoupled toric code layers. Similar considerations for the scalar charge theory lead to a framed 1-form symmetry. These symmetries are distinct from standard 1-form symmetries that arise, for instance, in relativistic quantum field theory. Here, we also give a general discussion on interpreting p-string condensation, and related constructions involving gauging of symmetry, in terms of higher-form symmetry.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0014415

OSTI ID:: 1762131

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1775576

Journal Information:: Annals of Physics, Journal Name: Annals of Physics Vol. 424; ISSN 0003-4916

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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