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Pretko,The Fracton Gauge Principle,Phys

6 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.

6 Pith papers citing it
abstract

A powerful mechanism for constructing gauge theories is to start from a theory with a global symmetry, then apply the "gauge principle," which demands that this symmetry hold locally. For example, the global phase rotation of a system of conserved charges can be promoted to a local phase rotation by coupling to an ordinary U(1) vector gauge field. More recently, a class of particles has been studied featuring not only charge conservation, but also conservation of higher moments, such as dipole moment, which leads to severe restrictions on the mobility of charges. These particles, called fractons, are known to be intimately connected to symmetric tensor gauge fields. In this work, we show how to derive such tensor gauge theories by applying the gauge principle to a theory of ungauged fractons. We begin by formulating a field theory for ungauged fractons exhibiting global conservation of charge and dipole moment. We show that such fracton field theories have a characteristic non-Gaussian form, reflecting the fact that fractons intrinsically interact with each other even in the absence of a mediating gauge field. We then promote the global higher moment conservation laws to local ones, which requires the introduction of a symmetric tensor gauge field. Finally, we extend these arguments to other types of subdimensional particles besides fractons. This work offers a possible route to the formulation of non-abelian fracton theories.

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verdicts

UNVERDICTED 6

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representative citing papers

SymTFT construction of gapless exotic-foliated dual models

cond-mat.str-el · 2025-04-15 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Develops a Mille-feuille SymTFT construction that generates foliated and exotic dual bulk theories realizing gapless boundary models with spontaneous continuous subsystem symmetry breaking, including duals of the XY plaquette and XYZ cube models.

Fractonic solids

hep-th · 2024-06-11 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

The authors introduce fractonic solids via a new symmetry that ties fracton mobility to a material, enabling gauge-invariant momentum, boost compatibility, and gravitational coupling.

Exotic theta terms in 2+1d fractonic field theory

hep-th · 2026-04-08 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Exotic theta terms in 2+1d fractonic φ-theory induce generalized Witten effects, with vortex operators gaining momentum subsystem charge (quadrupolar for the foliated case).

Modulated symmetries from generalized Lieb-Schultz-Mattis anomalies

cond-mat.str-el · 2025-10-21 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

Spatially modulated symmetries arise from gauging ordinary symmetries under generalized LSM anomalies, with explicit lattice models in 2D and 3D plus field-theoretic descriptions in arbitrary dimensions that connect to higher-group structures.

citing papers explorer

Showing 6 of 6 citing papers.

  • Matrix Product States for Modulated Topological Phases: Crystalline Equivalence Principle and Lieb-Schultz-Mattis Constraints cond-mat.str-el · 2026-03-19 · unverdicted · none · ref 15 · internal anchor

    Modulated SPT phases in 1D are classified by H²(G, U(1)_s) and obey LSM-type theorems forbidding symmetric short-range entangled ground states.

  • SymTFT construction of gapless exotic-foliated dual models cond-mat.str-el · 2025-04-15 · unverdicted · none · ref 44 · internal anchor

    Develops a Mille-feuille SymTFT construction that generates foliated and exotic dual bulk theories realizing gapless boundary models with spontaneous continuous subsystem symmetry breaking, including duals of the XY plaquette and XYZ cube models.

  • Fractonic solids hep-th · 2024-06-11 · unverdicted · none · ref 38 · internal anchor

    The authors introduce fractonic solids via a new symmetry that ties fracton mobility to a material, enabling gauge-invariant momentum, boost compatibility, and gravitational coupling.

  • Exotic theta terms in 2+1d fractonic field theory hep-th · 2026-04-08 · unverdicted · none · ref 5

    Exotic theta terms in 2+1d fractonic φ-theory induce generalized Witten effects, with vortex operators gaining momentum subsystem charge (quadrupolar for the foliated case).

  • Modulated symmetries from generalized Lieb-Schultz-Mattis anomalies cond-mat.str-el · 2025-10-21 · unverdicted · none · ref 18 · internal anchor

    Spatially modulated symmetries arise from gauging ordinary symmetries under generalized LSM anomalies, with explicit lattice models in 2D and 3D plus field-theoretic descriptions in arbitrary dimensions that connect to higher-group structures.

  • Snowmass White Paper: Generalized Symmetries in Quantum Field Theory and Beyond hep-th · 2022-05-19 · unverdicted · none · ref 176 · internal anchor

    This review summarizes transformative examples of generalized symmetries in QFT and their applications to anomalies and dynamics.