Exotic $\mathbb{Z}_N$ symmetries, duality, and fractons in 3+1-dimensional quantum field theory
Nathan Seiberg, Shu-Heng Shao
Abstract
Following our earlier analyses of nonstandard continuum quantum field theories, we study here gapped systems in 3+1 dimensions, which exhibit fractonic behavior. In particular, we present three dual field theory descriptions of the low-energy physics of the X-cube model. A key aspect of our constructions is the use of discontinuous fields in the continuum field theory. Spacetime is continuous, but the fields are not.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsQuantum field theoryTheoretical physicsField (mathematics)SpacetimeQuantumQuantum mechanicsQuantization (signal processing)Relationship between string theory and quantum field theoryField theory (psychology)Space (punctuation)Quantum gravityQuantum field theory in curved spacetimeUnified field theoryQuantum systemDual (grammatical number)Mathematical and Theoretical AnalysisBlack Holes and Theoretical PhysicsNoncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories