Non-trivial Charges Research Articles

Twisting asymptotic symmetries and algebraically special vacuum solutions

In this paper, we study asymptotic symmetries and algebraically special exact solutions in the Newman-Penrose formalism. Removing the hypersurface orthogonal condition in the well studied Newman-Unti gauge, we obtain a generic asymptotic solution space which includes all possible origins of propagating degree of freedom. The asymptotic symmetry of the generalized system extends the Weyl-BMS symmetry by two independent local Lorentz transformations with non-trivial boundary charges, which reveals new boundary degrees of freedom. The generalized Newman-Unti gauge includes algebraically special condition in its most convenient form. Remarkably, the generic solutions satisfying the algebraically special condition truncate in the inverse power of radial expansions and the non-radial Newman-Penrose equations are explicitly solved at any order. Hence, we provide the most general algebraically special solution space and the derivation is self-contained in the Newman-Penrose formalism. The asymptotic symmetry with respect to the algebraically special condition is the standard Weyl-BMS symmetry and the symmetry parameters consist only the integration constant order. We present the Kerr solution and Taub-NUT solution in the generalized Newman-Unti gauge in a simple form.

Covariant generalized conserved charges of General Relativity

Motivated by the current research of generalized symmetries and the construction of conserved charges in pure Einstein gravity linearized over Minkowski spacetime in Cartesian coordinates, we investigate, from a purely classical point of view, the construction of these charges in a coordinate- and frame-independent language in order to generalize them further. We show that all the charges constructed in that context are associated to the conformal Killing-Yano 2-forms of Minkowski spacetime. Furthermore, we prove that those associated to closed conformal Killing-Yano 2-forms are identical to the charges constructed by Kastor and Traschen for their dual Killing-Yano (d − 2)-forms. We discuss the number of independent and non-trivial gravitational charges that can be constructed in this way.

Spectral flow and string correlators in AdS3× S3× T4

We consider three-point correlation functions for superstrings propagating in AdS3 × S3 × T4. In the RNS formalism, these generically involve correlators with current insertions. When vertex operators with non-trivial spectral flow charges are present, their complicated OPEs with the currents imply that standard methods can not be used to compute such correlators. Here we develop techniques for computing all m-basis correlators of the supersymmetric model. We then show how, in some cases, these results can be translated to the x-basis. We obtain a new family of holographic three-point functions involving spacetime chiral primaries living in spectrally flowed sectors of the worldsheet CFT. These match precisely the predictions from the holographic dual at the symmetric product orbifold point. Finally, we also consider long strings and compute the probability amplitude associated with the process describing the emission/absorption of fundamental string quanta.

On quasilinear Maxwell equations in two dimensions

New sharp Strichartz estimates for the Maxwell system in two dimensions with rough permittivity and non-trivial charges are proved. We use the FBI transform to carry out the analysis in phase space. For this purpose, the Maxwell equations are conjugated to a system of half-wave equations with rough coefficients. For this system, Strichartz estimates are similarly derived as in previous work by Tataru on scalar wave equations with rough coefficients. We use the estimates to improve the local well-posedness theory for quasilinear Maxwell equations in two dimensions.

Supercurrent-Induced Weyl Superconductivity

We show that Weyl superconductivity can be induced by finite supercurrent in noncentrosymmetric spin–orbit-coupled superconductors with line nodes. We introduce a three-dimensional tight-binding model of a tetragonal superconductor in a D+p-wave pairing state with a finite center-of-mass momentum, and elucidate that a line-nodal to point-nodal spectral transition occurs by applying an infinitesimal supercurrent. We also clarify that the higher-order effect in spin–orbit coupling is particularly important for this phenomenon. The point nodes are protected by topologically nontrivial Weyl charges, and therefore gapless arc states appear on the surface of the superconductor. Furthermore, both the positions and the Weyl charges of the point nodes depend on the direction of the current. In addition, a quantized Berry phase defined on high-symmetry planes characterizes the Weyl nodes when the in-plane supercurrent is considered. Our proposition paves a new way for controlling the superconducting gap structures by using an external field.

Topological continuum charges of acoustic phonons in two dimensions and the Nambu-Goldstone theorem

We analyze the band topology of acoustic phonons in 2D materials by considering the interplay of spatial and internal symmetries with additional constraints that arise from the physical context. These supplemental constraints trace back to the Nambu-Goldstone theorem and the requirements of structural stability. We show that this interplay can give rise to previously unaddressed non-trivial nodal charges that are associated with the crossing of the acoustic phonon branches at the center ($\Gamma$-point) of the phononic Brillouin zone. We moreover apply our perspective to the concrete context of graphene, where we demonstrate that the phonon spectrum harbors these kinds of non-trivial nodal charges. Apart from its fundamental appeal, this analysis is physically consequential and dictates how the phonon dispersion is affected when graphene is grown on a substrate. Given the generality of our framework, we anticipate that our strategy that thrives on combining physical context with insights from topology should be widely applicable in characterizing systems beyond electronic band theory.

Tensor theory for higher-dimensional Chern insulators with large Chern numbers

Recent advances in topological artificial systems open the door to realizing topological states in dimensions higher than the usual three-dimensional space. Here, we present a "tensor product" theory, which offers a method to construct Chern insulators with arbitrarily high dimensions and Chern numbers. Particularly, we show that the tensor product of a $d_A$D Chern insulator $\langle \mathcal{H}_A^{(\kappa_{A})}, C_A\rangle$ with a $d_B$D Chern insulator $\langle \mathcal{H}_B^{(\kappa_B)}, C_B\rangle$ leads to a $(d_A+d_B)$D Chern insulator $\langle \mathcal{H}_{A B}^{(\kappa_A\star \kappa_B)},-2C_AC_B\rangle $, where in the brackets, $\mathcal{H}^{(\kappa)}$ is the $d$D Hamiltonian with $d$ even, $C$ is the corresponding $(d/2)$th Chern number, and $\kappa$ labels the five non-chiral Altland-Zirnbauer symmetry classes A, AI, D, AII and C. The four real classes AI, D, AII and C form a Klein four-group under the multiplication `$\star$' with class AI the identity, and class A is the zero element. Our theory leads to novel higher-dimensional topological physics. (i) The construction can generate large higher-order Chern numbers, e.g., for some cases the resultant classification is $8\mathbb{Z}$. (ii) Fascinatingly, the boundary states feature flat nodal hypersurfaces with nontrivial Chern charges. For the constructed $(d_A+d_B)$D Chern insulator, a boundary perpendicular to a direction of $\mathcal{H}_A$ generically hosts $|C_A|$ $d_B$D nodal hypersurfaces, each of which has topological charge $\pm 2C_B$. Under perturbations, each nodal hypersurface bursts into stable unit nodal points, with the total Chern charge conserved. Examples are given to demonstrate our theory, which can be experimentally realized in artificial systems such as acoustic crystals, electric circuit arrays, ultracold atoms, or mechanical networks.

Bondi-Metzner-Sachs Group in Five Spacetime Dimensions.

We study asymptotically flat spacetimes in five spacetime dimensions by Hamiltonian methods, focusing on spatial infinity and keeping all asymptotically relevant nonlinearities in the transformation laws and in the charge generators. Precise boundary conditions that lead to a consistent variational principle are given. We show that the algebra of asymptotic symmetries, which had not been uncovered before, is a nonlinear deformation of the semidirect product of the Lorentz algebra by an Abelian algebra involving four independent (and not just one) arbitrary functions of the angles on the three-sphere at infinity, with nontrivial central charges. The nonlinearities occur in the Poisson brackets of the boost generators with themselves and with the other generators. They would be invisible in a linearized treatment of infinity.

Asymmetric accidental composite dark matter

The goal of this work is to find the simplest UV completion of Accidental Composite Dark Matter Models (ACDM) that can dynamically generate an asymmetry for the DM candidate, the lightest dark baryon (DCb), and simultaneously annihilate the symmetric component. In this framework the DCb is a bound state of a confining SU(N)DC gauge group, and can interact weakly with the visible sector. The constituents of the DCb can possess non-trivial charges under the Standard Model gauge group. The generation of asymmetry for such candidate is a two-flavor variation of the out-of-equilibrium decay of a heavy scalar, with mass Mϕ ≳ 1010 GeV. Below the scale of the scalars, the models recover accidental stability, or long-livedness, of the DM candidate. The symmetric component is annihilated by residual confined interactions provided that the mass of the DCb mDCb ≲ 75 TeV. We implement the mechanism of asymmetry generation, or a variation of it, in all the original ACDM models, managing to generate the correct asymmetry for DCb of masses in this range. For some of the models found, the stability of the DM candidate is not spoiled even considering generic GUT completions or asymmetry generation mechanisms in the visible sector.

Cosmological implications of a B − L charged hidden scalar: leptogenesis and gravitational waves * *The work of L.B. is Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12075041, 12047564), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (2021CDJQY-011, 2020CDJQY-Z003), Chongqing Natural Science Foundation (cstc2020jcyj-msxmX0814). W.C. is Supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2019TQ0329). H.G. is

In this study, we investigated the cosmological implications of a complex singlet scalar with non-trivial charges in the conformal theory. It was found that, in a sizable region of parameter space, may disturb the resonant leptogenesis mechanism, which is used to generate baryon asymmetry, and affect the symmetry breaking dynamics in the strong first order phase transition. The stochastic gravitational waves (GWs) produced at the phase transition can be probed in future GW experiments. The GW searches prefer a relatively light at the TeV-scale; however, this is difficult to detect directly at future high-energy colliders.

3d gravity in Bondi-Weyl gauge: charges, corners, and integrability

We introduce a new gauge and solution space for three-dimensional gravity. As its name Bondi-Weyl suggests, it leads to non-trivial Weyl charges, and uses Bondi-like coordinates to allow for an arbitrary cosmological constant and therefore spacetimes which are asymptotically locally (A)dS or flat. We explain how integrability requires a choice of integrable slicing and also the introduction of a corner term. After discussing the holographic renormalization of the action and of the symplectic potential, we show that the charges are finite, symplectic and integrable, yet not conserved. We find four towers of charges forming an algebroid given by mathfrak{vir}oplus mathfrak{vir}oplus Heisenberg with three central extensions, where the base space is parametrized by the retarded time. These four charges generate diffeomorphisms of the boundary cylinder, Weyl rescalings of the boundary metric, and radial translations. We perform this study both in metric and triad variables, and use the triad to explain the covariant origin of the corner terms needed for renormalization and integrability.

Zero-energy corner states protected by generalized chiral symmetry in C 4 symmetric crystals

We investigated the corner-states characteristics of C 4-symmetric higher-order topological crystalline insulators. By evaluating the charge polarization and fractional corner charge, we obtained the abundant topological properties for different intercell hoppings amplitudes and identified that the non-trivial fractional corner charges are accompanied by second-order topological corner states. Interestingly, there are two different types of corner states topologically protected by generalized chiral symmetry, which guarantees that both corner states are pinned to zero energy. One of the corner states is localized at the corners like the one protected by generalized chiral symmetry of three-atom sublattice. However, the other corner states are localized at the two sublattices nearest to the corners, which has no counterpart in a lattice with generalized chiral symmetry. Moreover, both of them have robustness against defects and disorder.

Superconformal Bondi-Metzner-Sachs Algebra in Three Dimensions.

The conformal extension of the BMS_{3} algebra is constructed. Apart from an infinite number of "superdilatations," in order to incorporate superspecial conformal transformations, the commutator of the latter with supertranslations strictly requires the presence of nonlinear terms in the remaining generators. The algebra appears to be very rigid, in the sense that its central extensions as well as the coefficients of the nonlinear terms become determined by the central charge of the Virasoro subalgebra. The wedge algebra corresponds to the conformal group in three spacetime dimensions SO(3,2), so that the full algebra can also be interpreted as an infinite-dimensional nonlinear extension of the AdS_{4} algebra with nontrivial central charges. Moreover, since the Lorentz subalgebra [sl(2,R)] is nonprincipally embedded within the conformal (wedge) algebra, according to the conformal weight of the generators, the conformal extension of BMS_{3} can be further regarded as a W_{(2,2,2,1)} algebra. An explicit canonical realization of the conformal extension of BMS_{3} is then shown to emerge from the asymptotic structure of conformal gravity in three dimensions, endowed with a new set of boundary conditions. The supersymmetric extension is also briefly addressed.

Physics of symmetry protected topological phases involving higher symmetries and its applications

We discuss physical constructions, and the boundary properties of various symmetry protected topological phases that involve 1-form symmetries, from one spatial dimension (1d) to four spatial dimensions (4d). For example, the prototype 3d boundary state of 4d SPT states involving 1-form symmetries can be either a gapless photon phase (quantum electrodynamics) or gapped topological order enriched by 1-form symmetries, namely the loop excitations of these topological orders carry nontrivial 1-form symmetry charges. This study also serves the purpose of diagnosing anomaly of 3d states of matter. Connection between SPT states with 1-form symmetries and condensed matter systems such as quantum dimer models at one lower dimension will also be discussed. Whether a quantum dimer model can have a trivial gapped phase or not depends on the nature of its corresponding bulk state in one higher dimension.

Flavor hierarchies from clockwork in SO(10) GUT

The clockwork mechanism, which can naturally explain the origin of small numbers, is implemented in $SO(10)$ grand unified theories to address the origin of hierarchies in fermion masses and mixings. We show that a minimal Yukawa sector involving a $1{0}_{H}$ and ${\overline{126}}_{H}$ of Higgs bosons, extended with two clockwork chains consisting of $16+\overline{16}$ vectorlike fermions, can explain the hierarchical patterns with all the Yukawa couplings being of order one. Emergence of a realistic mass spectrum does not require any symmetry that distinguishes the three generations. We develop clockwork-extended $SO(10)$ GUTs both in the context of SUSY and non-SUSY frameworks. Implementation of the mechanism in non-SUSY scenario assumes a Peccei-Quinn symmetry realized at an intermediate scale, with the clockwork sector carrying nontrivial charges, which solves the strong $CP$ problem and provides axion as a dark matter candidate.

BMS symmetry via AdS/CFT

With a view to understanding extended-BMS symmetries in the framework of the AdS4/CFT3 correspondence, asymptotically AdS geometries are constructed with null impulsive shockwaves involving a discontinuity in superrotation parameters. The holographic dual is proposed to be a two-dimensional Euclidean defect conformal field localized on a particular timeslice in a three-dimensional conformal field theory on de Sitter spacetime. The defect conformal field theory generates a natural action of the Virasoro algebra. The large radius of curvature limit ℓ → ∞ yields spacetimes with nontrivial extended-BMS charges corresponding to a single set of Virasoro charges.

Asymptotic symmetries of Yang-Mills fields in Hamiltonian formulation

We investigate the asymptotic symmetry group of the free SU(N )-Yang-Mills theory using the Hamiltonian formalism. We closely follow the strategy of Henneaux and Troessaert who successfully applied the Hamiltonian formalism to the case of gravity and electrodynamics, thereby deriving the respective asymptotic symmetry groups of these theories from clear-cut first principles. These principles include the minimal assumptions that are necessary to ensure the existence of Hamiltonian structures (phase space, symplectic form, differentiable Hamiltonian) and, in case of Poincaré invariant theories, a canonical action of the Poincaré group. In the first part of the paper we show how these requirements can be met in the non-abelian SU(N )-Yang-Mills case by imposing suitable fall-off and parity conditions on the fields. We observe that these conditions admit neither non-trivial asymptotic symmetries nor non-zero global charges. In the second part of the paper we discuss possible gradual relaxations of these conditions by following the same strategy that Henneaux and Troessaert had employed to remedy a similar situation in the electromagnetic case. Contrary to our expectation and the findings of Henneaux and Troessaert for the abelian case, there seems to be no relaxation that meets the requirements of a Hamiltonian formalism and allows for non-trivial asymptotic symmetries and charges. Non-trivial asymptotic symmetries and charges are only possible if either the Poincaré group fails to act canonically or if the formal expression for the symplectic form diverges, i.e. the form does not exist. This seems to hint at a kind of colour-confinement built into the classical Hamiltonian formulation of non-abelian gauge theories.

Fluxes, twisted tori, monodromy and U(1) supermembranes

We show that the D = 11 supermembrane theory (M2-brane) compactified on a M9× T2 target space, with constant fluxes C± naturally incorporates the geometrical structure of a twisted torus. We extend the M2-brane theory to a formulation on a twisted torus bundle. It is consistently fibered over the world volume of the M2-brane. It can also be interpreted as a torus bundle with a nontrivial U(1) connection associated to the fluxes. The structure group G is the area preserving diffeomorphisms. The torus bundle is defined in terms of the monodromy associated to the isotopy classes of symplectomorphisms with π0(G) = SL(2, Z), and classified by the coinvariants of the subgroups of SL(2, Z). The spectrum of the theory is purely discrete since the constant flux induces a central charge on the supersymmetric algebra and a modification on the Hamiltonian which renders the spectrum discrete with finite multiplicity. The theory is invariant under symplectomorphisms connected and non connected to the identity, a result relevant to guarantee the U-dual invariance of the theory. The Hamiltonian of the theory exhibits interesting new U(1) gauge and global symmetries on the worldvolume induced by the symplectomorphim transformations. We construct explicitly the supersymmetric algebra with nontrivial central charges. We show that the zero modes decouple from the nonzero ones. The nonzero mode algebra corresponds to a massive superalgebra that preserves either 1/2 or 1/4 of the original supersymmetry depending on the state considered.

Horizon symmetries and hairy black holes in AdS

We investigate whether supertranslation symmetry may appear in a scenario that involves black holes in AdS space. The framework we consider is massive 3D gravity, which admits a rich black hole phase space, including stationary AdS black holes with softly decaying hair. We consider a set of asymptotic conditions that permits such decaying near the boundary, and which, in addition to the local conformal symmetry, is preserved by an extra local current. The corresponding algebra of diffeomorphisms consists of two copies of Virasoro algebra in semi-direct sum with an infinite-dimensional Abelian ideal. We then reorient the analysis to the near horizon region, where infinite-dimensional symmetries also appear. The supertranslation symmetry at the horizon yields an infinite set of non-trivial charges, which we explicitly compute. The zero-mode of these charges correctly reproduces the black hole entropy. In contrast to Einstein gravity, in the higher-derivative theory subleading terms in the near horizon expansion contribute to the near horizon charges. Such terms happen to capture the higher-curvature corrections to the Bekenstein area law.

Gravitational dressing, soft charges, and perturbative gravitational splitting

In gauge theories and gravity, field variables are generally not gauge-invariant observables, but such observables may be constructed by "dressing" these or more general operators. Dressed operators create particles, together with their gauge or gravitational fields which typically extend to infinity. This raises an important question of how well quantum information can be localized; one version of this is the question of whether soft charges fully characterize a given localized charge or matter distribution. This paper finds expressions for the non-trivial soft charges of such dressed operators. However, a large amount of flexibility in the dressing indicates that the soft charges, and other asymptotic observables, are not inherently correlated with details of the charge or matter distribution. Instead, these asymptotic observables can be changed by adding a general radiative (source-free) field configuration to the original one. A dressing can be chosen, perturbatively, so that the asymptotic observables are independent of details of the distribution, besides its total electric or Poincar\'e charges. This provides an approach to describing localization of information in gauge theories or gravity, and thus subsystems, that avoids problems associated with nonlocality of operator subalgebras. Specifically, this construction suggests the notions of electromagnetic or gravitational splittings, which involve networks of Hilbert space embeddings in which the charges play an important role.