# Rank-2 $U(1)$ spin liquid on the breathing pyrochlore lattice

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a microscopic model for a rank-2 $U(1)$ spin liquid on the breathing pyrochlore lattice, linking higher-rank gauge theories to real materials and providing experimental predictions.

## Contribution

It introduces a spin liquid model based on rank-2 $U(1)$ gauge theory in a realistic magnetic system, specifically Yb-based breathing pyrochlores.

## Key findings

- Identification of Yb-based breathing pyrochlores as candidate materials.
- Explicit experimental signatures predicted for the rank-2 $U(1)$ spin liquid.
- Connection established between higher-rank gauge theories and material realizations.

## Abstract

Higher-rank generalisations of electrodynamics have recently attracted considerable attention because of their ability to host "fracton" excitations, with connections to both quantum stabilizer codes and holography. However, the search for higher-rank gauge theories in experiment has been greatly hindered by the lack of materially-relevant microscopic models. Here we show how a spin liquid described by rank-2 $U(1)$ gauge theory can arise in a magnet on the breathing pyrochlore lattice. We identify Yb-based breathing pyrochlores as candidate systems, and make explicit predictions for how the rank-2 $U(1)$ spin liquid would manifest itself in experiment.