Quantum criticality of loops with topologically constrained dynamics

TL;DR

This paper explores the unique critical behavior of quantum loops with topologically constrained dynamics in 2+1 dimensions, revealing new universality classes characterized by topological operators and nonlocal correlations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel topological operator classification for quantum critical points with constrained loop dynamics, linking quantum and classical models.

Findings

Universal scaling forms for correlation functions derived

Critical exponents computed analytically and numerically

Topological classification of scaling operators established

Abstract

Quantum fluctuating loops in 2+1 dimensions give gapless many-body states that are beyond current field theory techniques. Microscopically, these loops can be domain walls between up and down spins, or chains of flipped spins similar to those in the toric code. The key feature of their dynamics is that the reconnection of a pair of strands is forbidden. This happens at previously-studied multi-critical points between topologically nontrivial phases. We show that this topologically constrained dynamics leads to universality classes with unusual scaling properties. For example, scaling operators at these fixed points are classified by topology, and not only by symmetry. We introduce the concept of the topological operator classification, provide universal scaling forms for correlation functions, and analytical and numerical results for critical exponents. We use an exact correspondence between the imaginary-time dynamics of the 2+1D quantum models and a classical Markovian dynamics for 2D classical loop models with a nonlocal Boltzmann weight (for which we also provide scaling results). We comment on open questions and generalizations of the models discussed for both quantum criticality and classical Markov processes.