Bound-state dynamics in one-dimensional multispecies fermionic systems

Abstract

In this work we provide for a description of the low-energy physics of interacting multi-species fermions in terms of the bound-states that are stabilized in these systems when a spin gap opens. We argue that, at energies much smaller than the spin gap, these systems are described by a Luttinger liquid of bound-states that depends, on top of the charge stiffness $\nu$ and the charge velocity $u$, on a "Fermi" momentum $P_F$ satisfying $qP_F = Nk_F$ where $q$ is the charge of the bound-state, $N$ the number of species and $k_F$ is the Fermi momentum in the non-interacting limit. We further argue that for generic interactions, generic bound-states are likely to be stabilized. They are associated with emergent, in general non-local, symmetries and are in the number of five. The first two consist of either a charge $q=N$ local $SU(N)$ singlet or a charge $q=N$ bound-state made of two local $SU(p)$ and $SU(N-p)$ singlets. In this case the Fermi momentum $P_F=k_F$ is preserved. The three others have an enhanced Fermi vector $P_F$. The latter are either charge $q=2$ bosonic p-wave and s-wave pairs with $SO(N)$ and $SP(N)$ symmetry and $P_F=Nk_F/2$ or a composite fermion of charge $q=1$ with $P_F=Nk_F$. The instabilities of these Luttinger liquid states towards incompressible phases and their possible topological nature are also discussed.