Vortices in fracton type gauge theories

TL;DR

This paper studies vortex solutions in a 2+1D fracton gauge theory with unconventional symmetries, revealing vortex configurations that generate magnetic dipoles, advancing understanding of fracton phases.

Contribution

It introduces scalar matter to a fracton gauge theory, derives and numerically solves BPS equations, and uncovers vortex solutions with associated magnetic dipoles.

Findings

Found vortex solutions in the gauge fields.

Generated non-trivial configurations for the extra vector field.

Linked vortex solutions to magnetic dipoles.

Abstract

We consider a vector gauge theory in 2 + 1 dimensions of the type recently proposed by Radzihovsky and Hermele [1] to describe fracton phases of matter. The theory has U(1)XU(1) vector gauge fields coupled to an additional vector field with a non conventional gauge symmetry. We added to the theory scalar matter in order to break the gauge symmetry. We analyze non trivial configurations by reducing the field equations to first order self dual (BPS) equations which we solved numerically. We have found vortex solutions for the gauge fields which in turn generate for the extra vector field non-trivial configurations that can be associated to magnetic dipoles.