CMSA Quantum Matter in Mathematics and Physics: Fracton Self-Statistics

SEMINARS, CMSA EVENTS

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April 28, 2023 10:00 am - 11:30 am
via Zoom Video Conferencing
Speaker:

Hao Song - ITP-CAS


Fracton order describes novel quantum phases of matter that host quasiparticles with restricted mobility, and thus lies beyond the existing paradigm of topological order. In particular, excitations that cannot move without creating other excitations are called fractons. Here we address a fundamental open question -- can the notion of self-exchange statistics be naturally defined for fractons, given their complete immobility as isolated excitations? Surprisingly, we demonstrate how fractons can be exchanged, and show their self-statistics is a key part of the characterization of fracton orders. We derive general constraints satisfied by the fracton self-statistics in a large class of abelian fracton orders. Finally, we show the existence of semionic or fermionic fracton self-statistics in some twisted variants of the checkerboard model and Haah's code, establishing that these models are in distinct quantum phases as compared to their untwisted cousins.

References: H Song, N Tantivasadakarn, W Shirley, M Hermele, arXiv:2304.00028.


This seminar will be virtual.

Password: cmsa
For more information, please see:
Quantum Matter in Mathematics and Physics (QMMP) 2023:
https://cmsa.fas.harvard.edu/event_category/quantum-matter-seminar/

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