Shang-Qiang NingTsinghua UniversityZheng-Xin LiuRenmin University of ChinaPeng YeUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Publications of CMSA of Harvardmathscidoc:1702.38071
While two-dimensional symmetry-enriched topological phases (š²š¤š³s) have been studied intensively and systematically, three-dimensional ones are still open issues. We propose an algorithmic approach of imposing global symmetry Gs on gauge theories (denoted by š¦š³) with gauge group Gg. The resulting symmetric gauge theories are dubbed "symmetry-enriched gauge theories" (š²š¤š¦), which may be served as low-energy effective theories of three-dimensional symmetric topological quantum spin liquids. We focus on š²š¤š¦s with gauge group Gg=ā¤N1Ćā¤N2ĆāÆ and on-site unitary symmetry group Gs=ā¤K1Ćā¤K2ĆāÆ or Gs=U(1)Ćā¤K1ĆāÆ. Each š²š¤š¦(Gg,Gs) is described in the path integral formalism associated with certain symmetry assignment. From the path-integral expression, we propose how to physically diagnose the ground state properties (i.e., š²š¤š³ orders) of š²š¤š¦s in experiments of charge-loop braidings (patterns of symmetry fractionalization) and the \emph{mixed} multi-loop braidings among deconfined loop excitations and confined symmetry fluxes. From these symmetry-enriched properties, one can obtain the map from š²š¤š¦s to š²š¤š³s. By giving full dynamics to background gauge fields, š²š¤š¦s may be eventually promoted to a set of new gauge theories (denoted by š¦š³ā). Based on their gauge groups, š¦š³ās may be further regrouped into different classes each of which is labeled by a gauge group Gāg. Finally, a web of gauge theories involving š¦š³, š²š¤š¦, š²š¤š³ and š¦š³ā is achieved. We demonstrate the above symmetry-enrichment physics and the web of gauge theories through many concrete examples.
@inproceedings{shang-qiangsymmetry,
title={Symmetry Enrichment in Three-Dimensional Topological Phases},
author={Shang-Qiang Ning, Zheng-Xin Liu, and Peng Ye},
url={http://archive.ymsc.tsinghua.edu.cn/pacm_paperurl/20170208004108198655298},
}
Shang-Qiang Ning, Zheng-Xin Liu, and Peng Ye. Symmetry Enrichment in Three-Dimensional Topological Phases. http://archive.ymsc.tsinghua.edu.cn/pacm_paperurl/20170208004108198655298.