The phase transitions between $Z_n\times Z_n$ bosonic topological phases in 1+1 D, and a constraint on the central charge for the critical points between bosonic symmetry protected topological phases

TL;DR

This paper investigates phase transitions between $Z_n imes Z_n$ bosonic topological phases in 1+1 dimensions, revealing the nature of critical points and establishing a central charge constraint for these topological transitions.

Contribution

It characterizes the critical points of phase transitions between bosonic topological phases and derives a universal constraint on the central charge in 1+1D.

Findings

Critical points have two relevant operators, one leading to symmetry breaking and the other to topological transition.

A universal constraint on the central charge for phase transitions between symmetry protected topological phases.

Identification of Landau-forbidden symmetry breaking in these topological phase transitions.

Abstract

The study of continuous phase transitions triggered by spontaneous symmetry breaking has brought revolutionary ideas to physics. Recently, through the discovery of symmetry protected topological phases, it is realized that continuous quantum phase transition can also occur between states with the same symmetry but different topology. Here we study a specific class of such phase transitions in 1+1 dimensions -- the phase transition between bosonic topological phases protected by $Z_n\times Z_n$. We find in all cases the critical point possesses two gap opening relevant operators: one leads to a Landau-forbidden symmetry breaking phase transition and the other to the topological phase transition. We also obtained a constraint on the central charge for general phase transitions between symmetry protected bosonic topological phases in 1+1D.