Higher-Rank Tensor Non-Abelian Field Theory: Higher-Moment or Subdimensional Polynomial Global Symmetry, Algebraic Variety, Noether's Theorem, and Gauging

TL;DR

This paper introduces a higher-moment polynomial global symmetry framework in tensor field theories, relating it to subdimensional symmetries, algebraic varieties, and gauging procedures, leading to novel non-abelian gauge theories relevant for fracton physics.

Contribution

It generalizes higher-moment global symmetries to tensor gauge theories, extends Noether's theorem, and constructs new non-abelian tensor gauge theories through gauging discrete symmetries.

Findings

Established a relation between higher-moment and subdimensional symmetries on algebraic varieties.

Derived a new family of higher-rank tensor gauge theories via gauging.

Constructed non-abelian tensor gauge theories combining gauge and topological sectors.

Abstract

With a view toward a fracton theory in condensed matter, we introduce a higher-moment polynomial degree-p global symmetry, acting on complex scalar/vector/tensor fields (e.g., ordinary or vector global symmetry for p$=0$ and p$=1$ respectively). We relate this higher-moment global symmetry of $n$-dimensional space, to a lower degree (either ordinary or higher-moment, e.g., degree-(p-$\ell$)) subdimensional or subsystem global symmetry on layers of $(n-\ell)$-submanifolds. These submanifolds are algebraic affine varieties (i.e., solutions of polynomials). The structure of layers of submanifolds as subvarieties can be studied via mathematical tools of embedding, foliation, and algebraic geometry. We also generalize Noether's theorem for this higher-moment polynomial global symmetry. We can promote the higher-moment global symmetry to a local symmetry, and derive a new family of higher-rank-m symmetric tensor gauge theory by gauging, with m = p$+1$. By further gauging a discrete $\mathbb{Z}_2^C$ charge conjugation (particle-hole) symmetry, we derive a new general class of rank-m tensor non-abelian gauge field theory (the gauge structure is non-commutative thus non-abelian but not an ordinary group): a hybrid class of (symmetric or non-symmetric) higher-rank-m tensor gauge theory and anti-symmetric tensor topological field theory, generalizing [arXiv:1909.13879], interplaying between gapless and gapped sectors.