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SciPost Physics Vol. 17 issue 4 (October 2024)

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Nonequilibrium probability currents in optically-driven colloidal suspensions

Samudrajit Thapa, Daniel Zaretzky, Ron Vatash, Grzegorz Gradziuk, Chase Broedersz, Yair Shokef, Yael Roichman

SciPost Phys. 17, 096 (2024) · published 1 October 2024 | · pdf

In the absence of directional motion it is often hard to recognize athermal fluctuations. Probability currents provide such a measure in terms of the rate at which they enclose area in the reduced phase space. We measure this area enclosing rate for trapped colloidal particles, where only one particle is driven. By combining experiment, theory, and simulation, we single out the effect of the different time scales in the system on the measured probability currents. In this controlled experimental setup, particles interact hydrodynamically. These interactions lead to a strong spatial dependence of the probability currents and to a local influence of athermal agitation. In a multiple-particle system, we show that even when the driving acts only on one particle, probability currents occur between other, non-driven particles. This may have significant implications for the interpretation of fluctuations in biological systems containing elastic networks in addition to a suspending fluid.
Nonsymmorphic spin-space cubic groups and SU(2)$_1$ conformal invariance in one-dimensional spin-1/2 models

Wang Yang, Alberto Nocera, Chao Xu, Ian Affleck

SciPost Phys. 17, 097 (2024) · published 1 October 2024 | · pdf

Recently, extended gapless phases with emergent SU(2)$_1$ conformal invariance occupying finite regions in the phase diagrams have been found in one-dimensional spin-1/2 models with nonsymmorphic $O_h$ symmetry groups. In this work, we investigate the question of whether the conditions for emergent SU(2)$_1$ invariance can be loosened. We find that besides the nonsymmorphic $O_h$ group, the other four smaller nonsymmorphic cubic groups including $O$, $T_h$, $T_d$ and $T$ can also give rise to emergent SU(2)$_1$ invariance. Minimal spin-1/2 models having these nonsymmorphic cubic groups as symmetry groups are constructed, and numerical evidences for the emergent SU(2)$_1$ invariance are provided. Our work is useful for understanding gapless phases in one-dimensional spin systems with nonsymmorphic symmetries.
The giant graviton expansion in $AdS_5 \times S^5$

Giorgos Eleftheriou, Sameer Murthy, Martí Rosselló

SciPost Phys. 17, 098 (2024) · published 1 October 2024 | · pdf

The superconformal index of $\frac12$-BPS states of $\mathcal{N}=4$ $U(N)$ super Yang-Mills theory has a known infinite $q$-series expression with successive terms suppressed by $q^N$. We derive a holographic bulk interpretation of this series by evaluating the corresponding functional integral in the dual AdS$_5 × S^5$. The integral localizes to a product of small fluctuations of the vacuum and of the collective modes of an arbitrary number of giant-gravitons wrapping an $S^3$ of maximal size inside the $S^5$. The quantum mechanics of the small fluctuations of one maximal giant is described by a supersymmetric version of the Landau problem. The quadratic fluctuation determinant reduces to a sum over the supersymmetric ground states, and precisely reproduces the first non-trivial term in the infinite series. Further, we show that the terms corresponding to multiple giants are obtained precisely by the matrix versions of the above super-quantum-mechanics.
Finite-size corrections to the energy spectra of gapless one-dimensional systems in the presence of boundaries

Yifan Liu, Haruki Shimizu, Atsushi Ueda, Masaki Oshikawa

SciPost Phys. 17, 099 (2024) · published 2 October 2024 | · pdf

We present the finite-size scaling theory of one-dimensional quantum critical systems in the presence of boundaries. While the finite-size spectrum in the conformal limit, namely of a conformal field theory with conformally invariant boundary conditions, is related to the dimensions of boundary operators by Cardy, the actual spectra of lattice models are affected by both bulk and boundary perturbations and contain non-universal boundary energies. We obtain a general expression of the finite-size energy levels in the presence of bulk and boundary perturbations. In particular, a generic boundary perturbation related to the energy-momentum tensor gives rise to a renormalization of the effective system size. We verify our field-theory formulation by comparing the results with the exact solution of the critical transverse-field Ising chain and with accurate numerical results on the critical three-state Potts chain obtained by Density-Matrix Renormalization Group.
Topological data analysis of monopole current networks in $U(1)$ lattice gauge theory

Xavier Crean, Jeffrey Giansiracusa, Biagio Lucini

SciPost Phys. 17, 100 (2024) · published 2 October 2024 | · pdf

In $4$-dimensional pure compact $U(1)$ lattice gauge theory, we analyse topological aspects of the dynamics of monopoles across the deconfinement phase transition. We do this using tools from Topological Data Analysis (TDA). We demonstrate that observables constructed from the zeroth and first homology groups of monopole current networks may be used to quantitatively and robustly locate the critical inverse coupling $\beta_{c}$ through finite-size scaling. Our method provides a mathematically robust framework for the characterisation of topological invariants related to monopole currents, putting on firmer ground earlier investigations. Moreover, our approach can be generalised to the study of Abelian monopoles in non-Abelian gauge theories.
Engineered Josephson diode effect in kinked Rashba nanochannels

Alfonso Maiellaro, Mattia Trama, Jacopo Settino, Claudio Guarcello, Francesco Romeo, Roberta Citro

SciPost Phys. 17, 101 (2024) · published 2 October 2024 | · pdf

The superconducting diode effect, reminiscent of the unidirectional charge transport in semiconductor diodes, is characterized by a nonreciprocal, dissipationless flow of Cooper pairs. This remarkable phenomenon arises from the interplay between symmetry constraints and the inherent quantum behavior of superconductors. Here, we explore the geometric control of the diode effect in a kinked nanostrip Josephson junction based on a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEGs) with Rashba spin-orbit interaction. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the diode effect as a function of the kink angle and the out-of-plane magnetic field. Our analysis reveals a rich phase diagram, showcasing a geometry and field-controlled diode effect. The phase diagram also reveals the presence of an anomalous Josephson effect related to the emergence of trivial zero-energy Andreev bound states, which can evolve into Majorana bound states. Our findings indicate that the exceptional synergy between geometric control of the diode effect and topological phases can be effectively leveraged to design and optimize superconducting devices with tailored transport properties.
$G_2$-manifolds from 4d N=1 theories, part I: Domain walls

Andreas P. Braun, Evyatar Sabag, Matteo Sacchi, Sakura Schäfer-Nameki

SciPost Phys. 17, 102 (2024) · published 3 October 2024 | · pdf

We propose new $G_2$-holonomy manifolds, which geometrize the Gaiotto-Kim 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ duality domain walls of 5d $\mathcal{N}=1$ theories. These domain walls interpolate between different extended Coulomb branch phases of a given 5d superconformal field theory. Our starting point is the geometric realization of such a 5d superconformal field theory and its extended Coulomb branch in terms of M-theory on a non-compact singular Calabi-Yau three-fold and its Kähler cone. We construct the 7-manifold that realizes the domain wall in M-theory by fibering the Calabi-Yau three-fold over a real line, whilst varying its Kähler parameters as prescribed by the domain wall construction. In particular this requires the Calabi-Yau fiber to pass through a canonical singularity at the locus of the domain wall. Due to the 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ supersymmetry that is preserved on the domain wall, we expect the resulting 7-manifold to have holonomy $G_2$. Indeed, for simple domain wall theories, this construction results in 7-manifolds, which are known to admit torsion-free $G_2$-holonomy metrics. We develop several generalizations to new 7-manifolds, which realize domain walls in 5d SQCD theories and walls between 5d theories which are UV-dual.
Harmonic chain far from equilibrium: Single-file diffusion, long-range order, and hyperuniformity

Harukuni Ikeda

SciPost Phys. 17, 103 (2024) · published 3 October 2024 | · pdf

In one dimension, particles can not bypass each other. As a consequence, the mean-squared displacement (MSD) in equilibrium shows sub-diffusion $MSD(t)\sim t^{1/2}$, instead of normal diffusion $MSD(t)\sim t$. This phenomenon is the so-called single-file diffusion. Here, we investigate how the above equilibrium behaviors are modified far from equilibrium. In particular, we want to uncover what kind of non-equilibrium driving force can suppress diffusion and achieve the long-range crystalline order in one dimension, which is prohibited by the Mermin-Wagner theorem in equilibrium. For that purpose, we investigate the harmonic chain driven by the following four types of driving forces that do not satisfy the detailed balance: (i) temporally correlated noise with the noise spectrum $D(\omega)\sim \omega^{-2\theta}$, (ii) conserving noise, (iii) periodic driving force, and (iv) periodic deformations of particles. For the driving force (i) with $\theta>-1/4$, we observe $MSD(t)\sim t^{1/2+2\theta}$ for large $t$. On the other hand, for the driving forces (i) with $\theta<-1/4$ and (ii)-(iv), MSD remains finite. As a consequence, the harmonic chain exhibits the crystalline order even in one dimension. Furthermore, the density fluctuations of the model are highly suppressed in a large scale in the crystal phase. This phenomenon is known as hyperuniformity. We discuss that hyperuniformity of the noise fluctuations themselves is the relevant mechanism to stabilize the long-range crystalline order in one dimension and yield hyperuniformity of the density fluctuations.
Generating lattice non-invertible symmetries

Weiguang Cao, Linhao Li, Masahito Yamazaki

SciPost Phys. 17, 104 (2024) · published 4 October 2024 | · pdf

Lattice non-invertible symmetries have rich fusion structures and play important roles in understanding various exotic topological phases. In this paper, we explore methods to generate new lattice non-invertible transformations/symmetries from a given non-invertible seed transformation/symmetry. The new lattice non-invertible symmetry is constructed by composing the seed transformations on different sites or sandwiching a unitary transformation between the transformations on the same sites. In addition to known non-invertible symmetries with fusion algebras of Tambara-Yamagami $\mathbb Z_N×\mathbb Z_N$ type, we obtain a new non-invertible symmetry in models with $\mathbb Z_N$ dipole symmetries. We name the latter the dipole Kramers-Wannier symmetry because it arises from gauging the dipole symmetry. We further study the dipole Kramers-Wannier symmetry in depth, including its topological defect, its anomaly and its associated generalized Kennedy-Tasaki transformation.
High temperature series expansions of S = 1/2 Heisenberg spin models: Algorithm to include the magnetic field with optimized complexity

Laurent Pierre, Bernard Bernu, Laura Messio

SciPost Phys. 17, 105 (2024) · published 7 October 2024 | · pdf

This work presents an algorithm for calculating high temperature series expansions (HTSE) of Heisenberg spin models with spin $S=1/2$ in the thermodynamic limit. This algorithm accounts for the presence of a magnetic field. The paper begins with a comprehensive introduction to HTSE and then focuses on identifying the bottlenecks that limit the computation of higher order coefficients. HTSE calculations involve two key steps: graph enumeration on the lattice and trace calculations for each graph. The introduction of a non-zero magnetic field adds complexity to the expansion because previously irrelevant graphs must now be considered: bridged graphs. We present an efficient method to deduce the contribution of these graphs from the contribution of sub-graphs, that drastically reduces the time of calculation for the last order coefficient (in practice increasing by one the order of the series at almost no cost). Previous articles of the authors have utilized HTSE calculations based on this algorithm, but without providing detailed explanations. The complete algorithm is publicly available, as well as the series on many lattice and for various interactions.
Exact finite-size scaling of the maximum likelihood spectra in the quenched and annealed Sherrington-Kirkpatrick spin glass

Ding Wang, Lei-Han Tang

SciPost Phys. 17, 106 (2024) · published 8 October 2024 | · pdf

Fine resolution of the discrete eigenvalues at the spectral edge of an $N× N$ random matrix is required in many applications. Starting from a finite-size scaling ansatz for the Stieltjes transform of the maximum likelihood spectrum, we demonstrate that the scaling function satisfies a first-order ODE of the Riccati type. Further transformation yields a linear second-order ODE for the characteristic function, whose nodes determine leading eigenvalues. Using this technique, we examine in detail the spectral crossover of the annealed Sherrington-Kirkpatrick (SK) spin glass model, where a gap develops below a critical temperature. Our analysis provides analytic predictions for the finite-size scaling of the spin condensation phenomenon in the annealed SK model, validated by Monte Carlo simulations. Deviation of scaling amplitudes from their predicted values is observed in the critical region due to eigenvalue fluctuations. More generally, rescaling the spectral axis, adjusted to the distance of neighboring eigenvalues, offers a powerful approach to handling singularities in the infinite size limit.
Tangentially active polymers in cylindrical channels

José Martín-Roca, Emanuele Locatelli, Valentino Bianco, Paolo Malgaretti, Chantal Valeriani

SciPost Phys. 17, 107 (2024) · published 8 October 2024 | · pdf

We present an analytical and computational study characterizing the structural and dynamical properties of an active filament confined in cylindrical channels. We first outline the effects of the interplay between confinement and polar self-propulsion on the conformation of the chains. We observe that the scaling of the polymer size in the channel, quantified by the end-to-end distance, shows different anomalous behaviours under different confinement and activity conditions. In particular, we report scaling exponents that are markedly different from their passive counterparts. Interestingly, we show that the universal relation, describing the ratio between the end-to-end distance of passive polymer chains in cylindrical channels and in bulk is broken by activity. Finally, we show that the long-time diffusion coefficient under confinement can be rationalised by an analytical model, that takes into account the presence of the channel and the elongated nature of the polymer.
General features and contact modeling of $N$-body isolated resonances near threshold

Ludovic Pricoupenko

SciPost Phys. 17, 108 (2024) · published 8 October 2024 | · pdf

$N$-body non efimovian bound or quasi-bound states for particles with short range interactions are considered in arbitrary dimensions. The different resonance regimes near the threshold are depicted by using a generalization of the effective range approximation. This two-parameter description can be used in various contexts from ultracold to hadronic physics. The universal character of these states makes it possible a formulation in terms of a contact model. The singularity at the contact imposes the introduction of a modified scalar product to solve the normalization catastrophe and to restore the self-adjoint character of the model. An equivalence with the standard scalar product used for realistic finite range models is derived.
Twisted holography on AdS$_3 \times S^3 \times$ K3 & the planar chiral algebra

Víctor E. Fernández, Natalie M. Paquette, Brian R. Williams

SciPost Phys. 17, 109 (2024) · published 9 October 2024 | · pdf

In this work, we revisit and elaborate on twisted holography for AdS$_3 × S^3 × X$ with $X= T^4$, K3, with a particular focus on K3. We describe the twist of supergravity, identify the corresponding (generalization of) BCOV theory, and enumerate twisted supergravity states. We use this knowledge, and the technique of Koszul duality, to obtain the $N → ∞$, or planar, limit of the chiral algebra of the dual CFT. The resulting symmetries are strong enough to fix planar 2 and 3-point functions in the twisted theory or, equivalently, in a 1/4-BPS subsector of the original duality. This technique can in principle be used to compute corrections to the chiral algebra perturbatively in $1/N$.
On exactly solvable Yang-Baxter models and enhanced symmetries

Khalil Idiab, Stijn Jurrien van Tongeren

SciPost Phys. 17, 110 (2024) · published 10 October 2024 | · pdf

We study Yang-Baxter deformations of the flat space string that result in exactly solvable models, finding the Nappi-Witten model and its higher dimensional generalizations. We then consider the spectra of these models obtained by canonical quantization in light-cone gauge, and match them with an integrability-based Bethe Ansatz approach. By considering a generalized light-cone gauge we can describe the model by a nontrivially Drinfel'd twisted S matrix, explicitly verifying the twisted structure expected for such deformations. Next, the reformulation of the Nappi-Witten model as a Yang-Baxter deformation shows that Yang-Baxter models can have more symmetries than suggested by the $r$ matrix defining the deformation. We discuss these enhanced symmetries in more detail for some trivial and nontrivial examples. Finally, we observe that there are nonunimodular but Weyl-invariant Yang-Baxter models of a type not previously considered.
Quantum phases of hardcore bosons with repulsive dipolar density-density interactions on two-dimensional lattices

J. A. Koziol, G. Morigi, K. P. Schmidt

SciPost Phys. 17, 111 (2024) · published 10 October 2024 | · pdf

We analyse the ground-state quantum phase diagram of hardcore Bosons interacting with repulsive dipolar potentials. The bosons dynamics is described by the extended-Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian on a two-dimensional lattice. The ground state results from the interplay between the lattice geometry and the long-range interactions, which we account for by means of a classical spin mean-field approach limited by the size of the considered unit cells. This extended classical spin mean-field theory accounts for the long-range density-density interaction without truncation. We consider three different lattice geometries: square, honeycomb, and triangular. In the limit of zero hopping the ground state is always a devil's staircase of solid (gapped) phases. Such crystalline phases with broken translational symmetry are robust with respect to finite hopping amplitudes. At intermediate hopping amplitudes, these gapped phases melt, giving rise to various lattice supersolid phases, which can have exotic features with multiple sublattice densities. At sufficiently large hoppings the ground state is a superfluid. The stability of phases predicted by our approach is gauged by comparison to the known quantum phase diagrams of the Bose-Hubbard model with nearest-neighbour interactions as well as quantum Monte Carlo simulations for the dipolar case on the square and triangular lattice. Our results are of immediate relevance for experimental realisations of self-organised crystalline ordering patterns in analogue quantum simulators, e.g., with ultracold dipolar atoms in an optical lattice.
Topological dynamics of adiabatic cat states

Jacquelin Luneau, Benoît Douçot, David Carpentier

SciPost Phys. 17, 112 (2024) · published 14 October 2024 | · pdf

We consider a quantum topological frequency converter, realized by coupling a qubit to two slow harmonic modes. The dynamics of such a system is the quantum analog of topological pumping. Our quantum mechanical description shows that an initial state generically evolves into a superposition of two adiabatic states. The topological nature of the coupling between the qubit and the modes splits these two components apart in energy: for each component, an energy transfer at a quantized rate occurs between the two quantum modes, in opposite directions for the two components, reminiscent of the topological pumping. We denote such a superposition of two quantum adiabatic states distinguishable through measures of the modes' energy an adiabatic cat state. We show that the topological coupling enhances the entanglement between the qubit and the modes, and we unveil the role of the quantum or Fubini-Study metric in the characterization of this entanglement.
Anomaly inflow for CSS and fractonic lattice models and dualities via cluster state measurement

Takuya Okuda, Aswin Parayil Mana, Hiroki Sukeno

SciPost Phys. 17, 113 (2024) · published 15 October 2024 | · pdf

Calderbank-Shor-Steane (CSS) codes are a class of quantum error correction codes that contains the toric code and fracton models. A procedure called foliation defines a cluster state for a given CSS code. We use the CSS chain complex and its tensor product with other chain complexes to describe the topological structure in the foliated cluster state, and argue that it has a symmetry-protected topological order protected by generalized global symmetries supported on cycles in the foliated CSS chain complex. We demonstrate the so-called anomaly inflow between CSS codes and corresponding foliated cluster states by explicitly showing the equality of the gauge transformations of the bulk and boundary partition functions defined as functionals of defect world-volumes. We show that the bulk and boundary defects are related via measurement of the bulk system. Further, we provide a procedure to obtain statistical models associated with general CSS codes via the foliated cluster state, and derive a generalization of the Kramers-Wannier-Wegner duality for such statistical models with insertion of twist defects. We also study the measurement-assisted gauging method with cluster-state entanglers for CSS/fracton models based on recent proposals in the literature, and demonstrate a non-invertible fusion of duality operators. Using the cluster-state entanglers, we construct the so-called strange correlator for general CSS/fracton models. Finally, we introduce a new family of subsystem-symmetric quantum models each of which is self-dual under the generalized Kramers-Wannier-Wegner duality transformation, which becomes a non-invertible symmetry.
Fisher zeroes and the fluctuations of the spectral form factor of chaotic systems

Guy Bunin, Laura Foini, Jorge Kurchan

SciPost Phys. 17, 114 (2024) · published 15 October 2024 | · pdf

The spectral form factor of quantum chaotic systems has the familiar 'ramp $+$ plateau' form. Techniques to determine its form in the semiclassical or the thermodynamic limit have been devised, in both cases based on the average over an energy range or an ensemble of systems. For a single instance, fluctuations are large, do not go away in the limit, and depend on the element of the ensemble itself, thus seeming to question the whole procedure. Considered as the modulus of a partition function in complex inverse temperature $\beta_R+i\beta_I$ ($\beta_I \equiv \tau$ the time), the spectral form factor has regions of Fisher zeroes, the analogue of Yang-Lee zeroes for the complex temperature plane. The large spikes in the spectral form factor are in fact a consequence of near-misses of the line parametrized by $\beta_I$ to these zeroes. The largest spikes are indeed extensive and extremely sensitive to details, but we show that they are both exponentially rare and exponentially thin. Motivated by this, and inspired by the work of Derrida on the Random Energy Model, we study here a modified model of random energy levels in which we introduce level repulsion. We also check that the mechanism giving rise to spikes is the same in the SYK model.
Quantum phases and transitions in spin chains with non-invertible symmetries

Arkya Chatterjee, Ömer M. Aksoy, Xiao-Gang Wen

SciPost Phys. 17, 115 (2024) · published 16 October 2024 | · pdf

Generalized symmetries often appear in the form of emergent symmetries in low energy effective descriptions of quantum many-body systems. Non-invertible symmetries are a particularly exotic class of generalized symmetries, in that they are implemented by transformations that do not form a group. Such symmetries appear in large families of gapless states of quantum matter and constrain their low-energy dynamics. To provide a UV-complete description of such symmetries, it is useful to construct lattice models that respect these symmetries exactly. In this paper, we discuss two families of one-dimensional lattice Hamiltonians with finite on-site Hilbert spaces: one with (invertible) $S_3$ symmetry and the other with non-invertible $\mathsf{Rep}(S_3)$ symmetry. Our models are largely analytically tractable and demonstrate all possible spontaneous symmetry breaking patterns of these symmetries. Moreover, we use numerical techniques to study the nature of continuous phase transitions between the different symmetry-breaking gapped phases associated with both symmetries. Both models have self-dual lines, where the models are enriched by so-called intrinsically non-invertible symmetries generated by Kramers-Wannier-like duality transformations. We provide explicit lattice operators that generate these non-invertible self-duality symmetries. We show that the enhanced symmetry at the self-dual lines is described by a 2+1d symmetry-topological-order (SymTO) of type $JK_4\boxtimes \overline{JK}_4$. The condensable algebras of the SymTO determine the allowed gapped and gapless states of the self-dual $S_3$-symmetric and $\mathsf{Rep}(S_3)$-symmetric models.