Topological Fracton Quantum Phase Transitions by Tuning Exact Tensor Network States.
Phys Rev Lett
; 130(21): 216704, 2023 May 26.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37295077
ABSTRACT
Gapped fracton phases of matter generalize the concept of topological order and broaden our fundamental understanding of entanglement in quantum many-body systems. However, their analytical or numerical description beyond exactly solvable models remains a formidable challenge. Here we employ an exact 3D quantum tensor-network approach that allows us to study a Z_{N} generalization of the prototypical X cube fracton model and its quantum phase transitions between distinct topological states via fully tractable wave function deformations. We map the (deformed) quantum states exactly to a combination of a classical lattice gauge theory and a plaquette clock model, and employ numerical techniques to calculate various entanglement order parameters. For the Z_{N} model we find a family of (weakly) first-order fracton confinement transitions that in the limit of Nâ∞ converge to a continuous phase transition beyond the Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson paradigm. We also discover a line of 3D conformal quantum critical points (with critical magnetic flux loop fluctuations) which, in the Nâ∞ limit, appears to coexist with a gapless deconfined fracton state.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Phys Rev Lett
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany