A New Model for Fractons, Fluxons, and Freeons

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new lattice spin model on a cubic lattice that generalizes fracton models, revealing novel excitations and ground state properties, with potential implications for quantum information and condensed matter physics.

Contribution

The paper proposes a new stabilizer code model that extends fracton theories, incorporating Z_3 degrees of freedom and revealing unique excitation dynamics and ground state degeneracies.

Findings

Ground state degeneracy depends on model parameters.

Existence of free vertex excitations called freeons.

Fractons are immobile and interact with fluxons.

Abstract

We propose a lattice spin model on a cubic lattice that shares many of the properties of the 3D toric code and the X-cube fracton model. The model, made of Z_3 degrees of freedom at the links, has the vertex, the cube, and the plaquette terms. Being a stabilizer code the ground states are exactly solved. With only the vertex and the cube terms present, we show that the ground state degeneracy (GSD) is 3^(L3+3L-1) where L is the linear dimension of the cubic lattice. In addition to fractons, there are free vertex excitations we call the freeons. With the addition of the plaquette terms, GSD is vastly reduced to 3^3, with fracton, fluxon, and freeon excitations, among which only the freeons are deconfined. The model is called the AB model if only the vertex (A_v) and the cube (B_c) terms are present, and the ABC model if in addition the plaquette terms (C_p) are included. The AC model consisting of vertex and plaquette terms is the Z_3 3D toric code. The extensive GSD of the AB model derives from the existence of both local and non-local logical operators that connect different ground states. The latter operators are identical to the logical operators of the Z_3 X-cube model. Fracton excitations are immobile and accompanied by the creation of fluxons - plaquettes having nonzero flux. In the ABC model, such fluxon creation costs energy and ends up confining the fractons. Unlike past models of fractons, vertex excitations are free to move in any direction and pick up a non-trivial statistical phase when passing through a fluxon or a fracton cluster.