Fractonic self-duality and covariant magnetic fractons

TL;DR

This paper introduces a tensorial duality framework for fractons, revealing covariant magnetic fractons with restricted mobility and a self-duality property, while showing the absence of certain dyonic excitations.

Contribution

It presents a novel tensorial generalization of electromagnetic duality that incorporates covariant magnetic fractons and demonstrates a genuine fractonic self-duality.

Findings

Introduction of covariant magnetic fractons with reduced mobility

Establishment of a symmetric tensor gauge theory framework

Absence of Witten-like effect preventing fractonic dyons

Abstract

Fractons, excitations with restricted mobility, have emerged as a novel paradigm in high-energy and condensed matter physics, revealing deep connections to gauge theories and gravity. Here, we propose a tensorial generalization of electromagnetic duality using a doubled-potential framework with two symmetric tensor gauge fields. This approach symmetrically describes electric and magnetic sectors, introducing covariant magnetic fractons with reduced mobility and supporting a genuine fractonic self-duality. Notably, we find the absence of a Witten-like effect in the covariant fractonic case, precluding the emergence of fractonic dyons.