Symmetry Fractionalization Research Articles

Symmetry fractionalization and duality defects in Maxwell theory

We consider Maxwell theory on a non-spin manifold. Depending on the choice of statistics for line operators, there are three non-anomalous theories and one anomalous theory with different symmetry fractionalizations. We establish the gauging maps that connect the non-anomalous theories by coupling them to a discrete gauge theory. We also construct topological interfaces associated with SL(2, ℤ) duality and gauging of electric and magnetic one-form symmetries. Finally, by stacking the topological interfaces, we compose various kinds of duality defects, which lead to non-invertible symmetries of non-spin Maxwell theories.

Detecting symmetry fractionalization in gapped quantum spin liquids by magnetic impurities

Detecting symmetry fractionalization in gapped quantum spin liquids by magnetic impurities

Anomaly enforced gaplessness for background flux anomalies and symmetry fractionalization

Anomalous symmetries are known to strongly constrain the possible IR behavior along any renormalization group (RG) flow. Recently, the extension of the notion of symmetry in QFT has provided new types of anomalies with a corresponding new class of constraints on RG flows. In this paper, we derive the constraints imposed on RG flows from anomalies that can only be activated in the presence of specific background fluxes even though they do not necessarily correspond to a symmetry. We show that such anomalies can only be matched by gapped theories that exhibit either spontaneous symmetry breaking or symmetry fractionalization. In addition, we exhibit previously unstudied examples of these flux background anomalies that arise in 4d QCD and 4d SUSY QCD.

Anomaly enforced gaplessness and symmetry fractionalization for SpinG symmetries

Symmetries and their anomalies give strong constraints on renormalization group (RG) flows of quantum field theories. Recently, the identification of a theory’s global symmetries with its topological sector has provided additional constraints on RG flows to symmetry preserving gapped phases due to mathematical results in category and topological quantum field theory. In this paper, we derive constraints on RG flows from ℤ2-valued pure- and mixed-gravitational anomalies that can only be activated on non-spin manifolds. We show that such anomalies cannot be matched by a unitary, symmetry preserving gapped phase without symmetry fractionalization. In particular, we discuss examples that commonly arise in 4d gauge theories with fermions.

Non-invertible symmetry webs

Non-invertible symmetries have by now seen numerous constructions in higher dimensional Quantum Field Theories (QFT). In this paper we provide an in depth study of gauging 0-form symmetries in the presence of non-invertible symmetries. The starting point of our analysis is a theory with GG 0-form symmetry, and we propose a description of sequential partial gaugings of sub-symmetries. The gauging implements the theta-symmetry defects of the companion paper [SciPost Phys. 15, 122 (2023)]. The resulting network of symmetry structures related by this gauging will be called a non-invertible symmetry web. Our formulation makes direct contact with fusion 2-categories, and we uncover numerous interesting structures such as symmetry fractionalization in this categorical setting. The complete symmetry web is derived for several groups GG, and we propose extensions to higher dimensions. The highlight of this analysis is the complete categorical symmetry web, including non-invertible symmetries, for 3d pure gauge theories with orthogonal gauge groups and its extension to arbitrary dimensions.

Anomalies and symmetry fractionalization

We study ordinary, zero-form symmetry GG and its anomalies in a system with a one-form symmetry \GammaΓ. In a theory with one-form symmetry, the action of GG on charged line operators is not completely determined, and additional data, a fractionalization class, needs to be specified. Distinct choices of a fractionalization class can result in different values for the anomalies of GG if the theory has an anomaly involving \GammaΓ. Therefore, the computation of the ’t Hooft anomaly for an ordinary symmetry GG generally requires first discovering the one-form symmetry \GammaΓ of the physical system. We show that the multiple values of the anomaly for GG can be realized by twisted gauge transformations, since twisted gauge transformations shift fractionalization classes. We illustrate these ideas in QCD theories in diverse dimensions. We successfully match the anomalies of time-reversal symmetries in 2+1d2+1d gauge theories, across the different fractionalization classes, with previous conjectures for the infrared phases of such strongly coupled theories, and also provide new checks of these proposals. We perform consistency checks of recent proposals about two-dimensional adjoint QCD and present new results about the anomaly of the axial \mathbb{Z}_{2N}ℤ2N symmetry in 3+1d3+1d{\cal N}=1 super-Yang-Mills. Finally, we study fractionalization classes that lead to 2-group symmetry, both in QCD-like theories, and in 2+1d2+1d\mathbb{Z}_2ℤ2 gauge theory.

Gauging Lie group symmetry in (2+1)d topological phases

We present a general algebraic framework for gauging a 0-form compact, connected Lie group symmetry in (2+1)d topological phases. Starting from a symmetry fractionalization pattern of the Lie group GG, we first extend GG to a larger symmetry group \tilde{G}G̃, such that there is no fractionalization with respect to \tilde{G}G̃ in the topological phase, and the effect of gauging \tilde{G}G̃ is to tensor the original theory with a \tilde{G}G̃ Chern-Simons theory. To restore the desired gauge symmetry, one then has to gauge an appropriate one-form symmetry (or, condensing certain Abelian anyons) to obtain the final result. Studying the consistency of the gauging procedure leads to compatibility conditions between the symmetry fractionalization pattern and the Hall conductance. When the gauging can not be consistently done (i.e. the compatibility conditions can not be satisfied), the symmetry GG with the fractionalization pattern has an ’t Hooft anomaly and we present a general method to determine the (3+1)d topological term for the anomaly. We provide many examples, including projective simple Lie groups and unitary groups to illustrate our approach.

Symmetry fractionalization in the gauge mean-field theory of quantum spin ice

Symmetry fractionalization is a ubiquitous feature of topologically ordered states that can be used to classify different symmetry-enriched topological phases and reveal some of their unique experimental signatures. Despite its vast popularity, there is currently no available framework to study symmetry fractionalization of quantum spin ice (QSI) -- a $U(1)$ quantum spin liquid (QSL) on the pyrochlore lattice supporting emergent photons -- within the most widely used theoretical framework to describe it, gauge mean-field theory (GMFT). In this work, we provide an extension of GMFT that allows for the classification of space-time symmetry fractionalization. The construction classifies all GMFT Ans\"atze that yield physical wavefunctions invariant under given symmetries and a specific low-energy gauge structure. As an application of the framework, we first show that the only two Ans\"atze with emergent $U(1)$ gauge fields that respect all space-group symmetries are the well-known 0- and $\pi$-flux states. We then showcase how the framework may describe QSLs beyond the currently known ones by classifying chiral $U(1)$ QSI. We find two new states described by $\pi/2$- and $3\pi/2$-fluxes of the emergent gauge field threading the hexagonal plaquettes of the pyrochlore lattice. We finally discuss how the different ways translation symmetries fractionalize for all these states lead to unique experimentally relevant signatures and compute their respective inelastic neutron scattering cross-section to illustrate the argument.

Emergent Z_{2} Gauge Theories and Topological Excitations in Rydberg Atom Arrays.

Strongly interacting arrays of Rydberg atoms provide versatile platforms for exploring exotic many-body phases and dynamics of correlated quantum systems. Motivated by recent experimental advances, we show that the combination of Rydberg interactions and appropriate lattice geometries naturally leads to emergent Z_{2} gauge theories endowed with matter fields. Based on this mapping, we describe how Rydberg platforms could realize two distinct classes of topological Z_{2} quantum spin liquids, which differ in their patterns of translational symmetry fractionalization. We also discuss the natures of the fractionalized excitations of these Z_{2} spin liquid states using both fermionic and bosonic parton theories and illustrate their rich interplay with proximate solid phases.

Emergent XY* transition driven by symmetry fractionalization and anyon condensation

Anyons in a topologically ordered phase can carry fractional quantum numbers with respect to the symmetry group of the considered system, one example being the fractional charge of the quasiparticles and quasiholes in the fractional quantum Hall effect. When such symmetry-fractionalized anyons condense, the resulting phase must spontaneously break the symmetry and display a local order parameter. In this paper, we study the phase diagram and anyon condensation transitions of a \mathbb{Z}_2ℤ2 topological order perturbed by Ising interactions in the Toric Code. The interplay between the global (``onsite’’) Ising (\mathbb{Z}_2ℤ2) symmetry and the lattice space group symmetries results in a non-trivial symmetry fractionalization class for the anyons, and is shown to lead to two characteristically different confined, symmetry-broken phases. To understand the anyon condensation transitions, we use the recently introduced critical torus energy spectrum technique to identify a line of emergent 2+1D XY* transitions ending at a fine-tuned (Ising^22)* critical point. We provide numerical evidence for the occurrence of two symmetry breaking patterns predicted by the specific symmetry fractionalization class of the condensed anyons in the explored phase diagram. In combination with large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations we measure unusually large critical exponents \etaη for the scaling of the correlation function at the continuous anyon condensation transitions, and we further identify lines of (weakly) first order transitions in the phase diagram. As an important additional result, we discuss the phase diagram of a resulting 2+1D Ashkin-Teller model, where we demonstrate that torus spectroscopy is capable of identifying emergent XY/O(2) critical behaviour, thereby solving some longstanding open questions in the domain of the 3D Ashkin-Teller models. To establish the generality of our results, we propose a field theoretical description capturing the transition from a \mathbb{Z}_2ℤ2 topological order to either \mathbb{Z}_2ℤ2 symmetry broken phase, which is in excellent agreement with the numerical results.

Anomalies in (2+1)D Fermionic Topological Phases and (3+1)D Path Integral State Sums for Fermionic SPTs

Given a (2+1)D fermionic topological order and a symmetry fractionalization class for a global symmetry group $G$, we show how to construct a (3+1)D topologically invariant path integral for a fermionic $G$ symmetry-protected topological state ($G$-FSPT) in terms of an exact combinatorial state sum. This provides a general way to compute anomalies in (2+1)D fermionic symmetry-enriched topological states of matter. Equivalently, our construction provides an exact (3+1)D combinatorial state sum for a path integral of any FSPT that admits a symmetry-preserving gapped boundary, including the (3+1)D topological insulators and superconductors in class AII, AIII, DIII, and CII that arise in the free fermion classification. Our construction uses the fermionic topological order (characterized by a super-modular tensor category) and symmetry fractionalization data to define a (3+1)D path integral for a bosonic theory that hosts a non-trivial emergent fermionic particle, and then condenses the fermion by summing over closed 3-form $\mathbb{Z}_2$ background gauge fields. This procedure involves a number of non-trivial higher-form anomalies associated with Fermi statistics and fractional quantum numbers that need to be appropriately canceled off with a Grassmann integral that depends on a generalized spin structure. We show how our construction reproduces the $\mathbb{Z}_{16}$ anomaly indicator for time-reversal symmetric topological superconductors with ${\bf T}^2 = (-1)^F$. Mathematically, with standard technical assumptions, this implies that our construction gives a combinatorial state sum on a triangulated 4-manifold that can distinguish all $\mathbb{Z}_{16}$ $\mathrm{Pin}^+$ smooth bordism classes. As such, it contains the topological information encoded in the eta invariant of the pin$^+$ Dirac operator, thus giving an example of a state sum TQFT that can distinguish exotic smooth structure.

Quantum spin liquid with emergent chiral order in the triangular-lattice Hubbard model

The interplay between spin frustration and charge fluctuation gives rise to an exotic quantum state in the intermediate-interaction regime of the half-filled triangular-lattice Hubbard model, while the nature of the state is under debate. Using the density matrix renormalization group with SU(2)$_{\rm{spin}} \otimes $U(1)$_{\rm{charge}}$ symmetries implemented, we study the triangular-lattice Hubbard model defined on the long cylinder geometry up to circumference $W=6$. A gapped quantum spin liquid, with on-site interaction $9 \lesssim U / t \lesssim 10.75$, is identified between the metallic and the antiferromagnetic Mott insulating phases. In particular, we find that this spin liquid develops a robust long-range spin scalar-chiral correlation as the system length $L$ increases, which unambiguously unveils the spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking. In addition, the degeneracy of the entanglement spectrum supports symmetry fractionalization and spinon edge modes in the obtained ground state. The possible origin of chiral order in this intermediate spin liquid and its relation to the rotonlike excitations have also been discussed.

Probing emergent QED in quantum spin ice via Raman scattering of phonons: Shallow inelastic scattering and pair production

We present an unconventional mechanism for Raman scattering of phonons, which is based on the linear magnetoelastic coupling present in non-Kramers magnetic ions. This provides a direct coupling of Raman-active phonons to the magnet's quasiparticles. We propose to use this mechanism to probe the emergent magnetic monopoles, electric charges, and photons of the emergent quantum electrodynamics (eQED) of the U(1) quantum spin liquid known as quantum spin ice. Detecting this eQED in candidate rare-earth pyrochlore materials, or indeed signatures of topological magnetic phases more generally, is a challenging task. We show that the Raman scattering cross section of the phonons directly yields relevant information, with the broadening of the phonon linewidth, which we compute, exhibiting a characteristic frequency dependence reflecting the two-particle density of states of the emergent excitations. Remarkably, we find that the Raman linewidth is sensitive to the details of the symmetry fractionalization and hence can reveal information about the projective implementation of symmetry in the quantum spin liquid, thereby providing a diagnostic for a $\ensuremath{\pi}$-flux phase. The Raman scattering of the phonons thus provides a useful experimental tool to probe the fractionalization in quantum spin liquids that turns out to closely mirror pair production in quantum electrodynamics and the deep inelastic scattering of quantum chromodynamics. Indeed, the difference to the latter is conceptual more than technical: the partons (quarks) emerge from the hadrons at high energies due to asymptotic freedom, while those in eQED arise from fractionalization of the spins at low energies.

Fractionalization of subsystem symmetries in two dimensions

The fractionalization of global symmetry charges is a striking hallmark of topological quantum order. Here, we discuss the fractionalization of subsystem symmetries in two-dimensional topological phases. In line with previous no-go arguments, we show that subsystem symmetry fractionalization is not possible in many cases due to the additional rigid geometric structure of the symmetries. However, we identify a new mechanism that allows fractionalization, involving global relations between macroscopically many symmetry generators. We find that anyons can fractionalize such relations, meaning that the total charge carried under all generators involved in the global relation is non-trivial, despite the fact that these generators multiply to the identity. We first discuss the general algebraic framework needed to characterize this new type of fractionalization, and then explore this framework using a number of exactly solvable models with $\mathbb{Z}_2$ topological order, including models having line and fractal symmetries. These models all showcase another necessary property of subsystem symmetry fractionalization: fractionalized anyons must have restricted mobility when the symmetry is enforced, such that they are confined to a single line or point in the case of line and fractal symmetries, respectively. Looking forward, we expect that our identification of the importance of global relations in fractionalization will hold significance for the classification of phases with subsystem symmetries in all dimensions.

Thermodynamic signature of SU(4) spin-orbital liquid and symmetry fractionalization from Lieb-Schultz-Mattis theorem

The state-of-the-art numerical simulation of the SU(4) Heisenberg model on a honeycomb lattice reveals a characteristic peak-and-shoulder specific heat behavior. The low-temperature peak is associated with a color gap, which suggests the existence of a gapped symmetric ground state in this model.

Fractionalizing global symmetry on looplike topological excitations

Symmetry fractionalization (SF) on topological excitations is one of the most remarkable quantum phenomena in topological orders with symmetry, i.e., symmetry-enriched topological phases. While much progress has been theoretically and experimentally made in 2D, the understanding on SF in 3D is far from complete. A long-standing challenge is to understand SF on looplike topological excitations which are spatially extended objects. In this work, we construct a powerful topological-field-theoretical framework approach for 3D topological orders, which leads to a systematic characterization and classification of SF. For systems with Abelian gauge groups ($G_g$) and Abelian symmetry groups ($G_s$), we successfully establish equivalence classes that lead to a finite number of patterns of SF, although there are notoriously infinite number of Lagrangian-descriptions of the system. We compute topologically distinct types of fractional symmetry charges carried by particles. Then, for each type, we compute topologically distinct statistical phases of braiding processes among loop excitations and external symmetry fluxes. As a result, we are able to unambiguously list all physical observables for each pattern of SF. We present detailed calculations on many concrete examples. As an example, we find that the SF in an untwisted $\mathbb{Z}_2\times \mathbb{Z}_2$ topological order with $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry is classified by $ (\mathbb{Z}_2)^6\oplus (\mathbb{Z}_2)^2\oplus (\mathbb{Z}_2)^2\oplus (\mathbb{Z}_2)^2$. If the topological order is twisted, the classification reduces to $(\mathbb{Z}_2)^6$ in which particle excitations always carry integer charge. Pure algebraic formalism of the classification is given by: $ \bigoplus_{\nu_i} \mathcal H^4 ( G_g\leftthreetimes_{\nu_i}G_s, U (1)) /\Gamma_\omega ({\nu_i}) \,$. Several future directions are proposed.

Fermionic symmetry fractionalization in (2+1) dimensions

We develop a systematic theory of symmetry fractionalization for fermionic topological phases of matter in (2+1)D with a general fermionic symmetry group $G_f$. In general $G_f$ is a central extension of the bosonic symmetry group $G_b$ by fermion parity, $(-1)^F$, characterized by a non-trivial cohomology class $[\omega_2] \in \mathcal{H}^2(G_b, \mathbb{Z}_2)$. We show how the presence of local fermions places a number of constraints on the algebraic data that defines the action of the symmetry on the super-modular tensor category that characterizes the anyon content. We find two separate obstructions to defining symmetry fractionalization, which we refer to as the bosonic and fermionic symmetry localization obstructions. The former is valued in $\mathcal{H}^3(G_b, K(\mathcal{C}))$, while the latter is valued in either $\mathcal{H}^3(G_b,\mathcal{A}/\{1,\psi\})$ or $Z^2(G_b, \mathbb{Z}_2)$ depending on additional details of the theory. $K(\mathcal{C})$ is the Abelian group of functions from anyons to $\mathrm{U}(1)$ phases obeying the fusion rules, $\mathcal{A}$ is the Abelian group defined by fusion of Abelian anyons, and $\psi$ is the fermion. When these obstructions vanish, we show that distinct symmetry fractionalization patterns form a torsor over $\mathcal{H}^2(G_b, \mathcal{A}/\{1,\psi\})$. We study a number of examples in detail; in particular we provide a characterization of fermionic Kramers degeneracy arising in symmetry class DIII within this general framework, and we discuss fractional quantum Hall and $\mathbb{Z}_2$ quantum spin liquid states of electrons.

Symmetries and anomalies of (1+1)d theories: 2-groups and symmetry fractionalization

We investigate the interactions of discrete zero-form and one-form global symmetries in (1+1)d theories. Focus is put on the interactions that the symmetries can have on each other, which in this low dimension result in 2-group symmetries or symmetry fractionalization. A large part of the discussion will be to understand a major feature in (1+1)d: the multiple sectors into which a theory decomposes. We perform gauging of the one-form symmetry, and remark on the effects this has on our theories, especially in the case when there is a global 2-group symmetry. We also implement the spectral sequence to calculate anomalies for the 2-group theories and symmetry fractionalized theory in the bosonic and fermionic cases. Lastly, we discuss topological manipulations on the operators which implement the symmetries, and draw insights on the (1+1)d effects of such manipulations by coupling to a bulk (2+1)d theory.

Topological phase transition and single/multi anyon dynamics of Z2 spin liquid

Among the quantum many-body models that host anyon excitation and topological orders, quantum dimer models (QDM) provide a suitable playground for studying the relation between single-anyon and multi-anyon continuum spectra. However, as the prototypical correlated system with local constraints, the generic solution of QDM at different lattice geometry and parameter regimes is still missing due to the lack of controlled methodologies. Here we obtain, via sweeping cluster quantum Monte Carlo algorithm, the excitation spectra in different phases of the triangular lattice QDM. Our results reveal the single vison excitations inside the Z2 quantum spin liquid (QSL) and its condensation towards the sqrt{12}times sqrt{12} valence bond solid (VBS), and demonstrate the translational symmetry fractionalization and emergent O(4) symmetry at the QSL-VBS transition. We find the single vison excitations, whose convolution qualitatively reproduces the dimer spectra, are not free but subject to interaction effects throughout the transition. The nature of the VBS with its O(4) order parameters are unearthed in full scope. Our approach opens the avenue for generic solution of the static and dynamic properties of QDMs and has relevance towards the realization and detection of fractional excitations in programmable quantum simulators.

String order parameters for symmetry fractionalization in an enriched toric code

We study a simple model of symmetry-enriched topological order obtained by decorating a toric code model with lower-dimensional symmetry-protected topological states. We show that the symmetry fractionalization in this model can be characterized by string order parameters, and that these signatures are robust under the effects of external fields and interactions, up to the phase transition point. This extends the recent proposal of [New Journal of Physics 21, 113016 (2019)] beyond the setting of fixed-point tensor network states, and solidifies string order parameters as a useful tool to characterize and detect symmetry fractionalization. In addition to this, we observe how the condensation of an anyon that fractionalizes a symmetry forces that symmetry to spontaneously break, and we give a proof of this in the framework of projected entangled pair states. This phenomenon leads to a notable change in the phase diagram of the toric code in parallel magnetic fields.