Fractonic Matter in Symmetry-Enriched U(1) Gauge Theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates how global symmetries influence quasiparticle mobility in 3D U(1) gauge theories, revealing that symmetry-enriched conditions can lead to fractonic matter with restricted mobility.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic framework for understanding symmetry-enforced mobility restrictions in U(1) gauge theories enriched by U(1) and translational symmetries, and constructs these phases via gauging layered SPT phases.

Findings

Fractonic matter naturally emerges in symmetry-enriched U(1) gauge theories.

A classification scheme for such theories based on symmetry-enforced mobility restrictions.

Unified construction of these phases through gauging layered SPT phases.

Abstract

In this work we explore the interplay between global symmetry and the mobility of quasiparticle excitations. We show that fractonic matter naturally appears in a three dimensional U(1) gauge theory, enriched by global U(1) and translational symmetries, via the mechanism of anyonic spin-orbital coupling. We develop a systematic understanding of such symmetry-enforced mobility restrictions in terms of the classification of U(1) gauge theories enriched by U(1) and translational symmetries. We provide a unified construction of these phases by gauging layered symmetry-protected topological phases.