Publications

Order by: publication date number of citations

• More exotic field theories in 3+1 dimensions

  Pranay Gorantla, Ho Tat Lam, Nathan Seiberg, Shu-Heng Shao

  SciPost Phys. 9, 073 (2020) · published 16 November 2020 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We continue the exploration of nonstandard continuum field theories related to fractons in 3+1 dimensions. Our theories exhibit exotic global and gauge symmetries, defects with restricted mobility, and interesting dualities. Depending on the model, the defects are the probe limits of either fractonic particles, strings, or strips. One of our models is the continuum limit of the plaquette Ising lattice model, which features an important role in the construction of the X-cube model.

  50 citations

• 2-Group symmetries and their classification in 6d

  Fabio Apruzzi, Lakshya Bhardwaj, Dewi S. W. Gould, Sakura Schäfer-Nameki

  SciPost Phys. 12, 098 (2022) · published 18 March 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We uncover 2-group symmetries in 6d superconformal field theories. These symmetries arise when the discrete 1-form symmetry and continuous flavor symmetry group of a theory mix with each other. We classify all 6d superconformal field theories with such 2-group symmetries. The approach taken in 6d is applicable more generally, with minor modifications to include dimension specific operators (such as instantons in 5d and monopoles in 3d), and we provide a discussion of the dimension-independent aspects of the analysis. We include an ancillary mathematica code for computing 2-group symmetries, once the dimension specific input is provided. We also discuss a mixed 't Hooft anomaly between discrete 0-form and 1-form symmetries in 6d.

  50 citations

• Time-reversal symmetry, anomalies, and dualities in (2+1)$d$

  Clay Córdova, Po-Shen Hsin, Nathan Seiberg

  SciPost Phys. 5, 006 (2018) · published 20 July 2018 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We study continuum quantum field theories in 2+1 dimensions with time-reversal symmetry $\cal T$. The standard relation ${\cal T}^2=(-1)^F$ is satisfied on all the "perturbative operators" i.e. polynomials in the fundamental fields and their derivatives. However, we find that it is often the case that acting on more complicated operators ${\cal T}^2=(-1)^F {\cal M}$ with $\cal M$ a non-trivial global symmetry. For example, acting on monopole operators, $\cal M$ could be $\pm1$ depending on the magnetic charge. We study in detail $U(1)$ gauge theories with fermions of various charges. Such a modification of the time-reversal algebra happens when the number of odd charge fermions is $2 ~{\rm mod}~4$, e.g. in QED with two fermions. Our work also clarifies the dynamics of QED with fermions of higher charges. In particular, we argue that the long-distance behavior of QED with a single fermion of charge $2$ is a free theory consisting of a Dirac fermion and a decoupled topological quantum field theory. The extension to an arbitrary even charge is straightforward. The generalization of these abelian theories to $SO(N)$ gauge theories with fermions in the vector or in two-index tensor representations leads to new results and new consistency conditions on previously suggested scenarios for the dynamics of these theories. Among these new results is a surprising non-abelian symmetry involving time-reversal.

  50 citations

• Many-body localization in a quasiperiodic Fibonacci chain

  Nicolas Macé, Nicolas Laflorencie, Fabien Alet

  SciPost Phys. 6, 050 (2019) · published 29 April 2019 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We study the many-body localization (MBL) properties of a chain of interacting fermions subject to a quasiperiodic potential such that the non-interacting chain is always delocalized and displays multifractality. Contrary to naive expectations, adding interactions in this systems does not enhance delocalization, and a MBL transition is observed. Due to the local properties of the quasiperiodic potential, the MBL phase presents specific features, such as additional peaks in the density distribution. We furthermore investigate the fate of multifractality in the ergodic phase for low potential values. Our analysis is based on exact numerical studies of eigenstates and dynamical properties after a quench.

  49 citations

• On the matter of topological insulators as magnetoelectrics

  N. P. Armitage, Liang Wu

  SciPost Phys. 6, 046 (2019) · published 17 April 2019 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  It has been proposed that topological insulators can be best characterized not as surface conductors, but as bulk magnetoelectrics that -- under the right conditions-- have a universal quantized magnetoelectric response coefficient $e^2/2h$. However, it is not clear to what extent these conditions are achievable in real materials that can have disorder, finite chemical potential, residual dissipation, and even inversion symmetry. This has led to some confusion and misconceptions. The primary goal of this work is to illustrate exactly under what real life scenarios and in what context topological insulators can be described as magnetoelectrics. We explore analogies of the 3D magnetoelectric response to electric polarization in 1D in detail, the formal vs. effective polarization and magnetoelectric susceptibility, the 1/2 quantized surface quantum Hall effect, the multivalued nature of the magnetoelectric susceptibility, the role of inversion symmetry, the effects of dissipation, and the necessity for finite frequency measurements. We present these issues from the perspective of experimentalists who have struggled to take the beautiful theoretical ideas and to try to measure their (sometimes subtle) physical consequences in messy real material systems.

  49 citations

• GANplifying event samples

  Anja Butter, Sascha Diefenbacher, Gregor Kasieczka, Benjamin Nachman, Tilman Plehn

  SciPost Phys. 10, 139 (2021) · published 10 June 2021 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  A critical question concerning generative networks applied to event generation in particle physics is if the generated events add statistical precision beyond the training sample. We show for a simple example with increasing dimensionality how generative networks indeed amplify the training statistics. We quantify their impact through an amplification factor or equivalent numbers of sampled events.

  48 citations

• Odd surface waves in two-dimensional incompressible fluids

  Alexander G. Abanov, Tankut Can, Sriram Ganeshan

  SciPost Phys. 5, 010 (2018) · published 27 July 2018 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We consider free surface dynamics of a two-dimensional incompressible fluid with odd viscosity. The odd viscosity is a peculiar part of the viscosity tensor which does not result in dissipation and is allowed when parity symmetry is broken. For the case of incompressible fluids, the odd viscosity manifests itself through the free surface (no stress) boundary conditions. We first find the free surface wave solutions of hydrodynamics in the linear approximation and study the dispersion of such waves. As expected, the surface waves are chiral and even exist in the absence of gravity and vanishing shear viscosity. In this limit, we derive effective nonlinear Hamiltonian equations for the surface dynamics, generalizing the linear solutions to the weakly nonlinear case. Within the small surface angle approximation, the equation of motion leads to a new class of non-linear chiral dynamics governed by what we dub the {\it chiral} Burgers equation. The chiral Burgers equation is identical to the complex Burgers equation with imaginary viscosity and an additional analyticity requirement that enforces chirality. We present several exact solutions of the chiral Burgers equation. For generic multiple pole initial conditions, the system evolves to the formation of singularities in a finite time similar to the case of an ideal fluid without odd viscosity. We also obtain a periodic solution to the chiral Burgers corresponding to the non-linear generalization of small amplitude linear waves.

  48 citations

• Multiloop functional renormalization group for the two-dimensional Hubbard model: Loop convergence of the response functions

  Agnese Tagliavini, Cornelia Hille, Fabian B. Kugler, Sabine Andergassen, Alessandro Toschi, Carsten Honerkamp

  SciPost Phys. 6, 009 (2019) · published 18 January 2019 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We present a functional renormalization group (fRG) study of the two dimensional Hubbard model, performed with an algorithmic implementation which lifts some of the common approximations made in fRG calculations. In particular, in our fRG flow; (i) we take explicitly into account the momentum and the frequency dependence of the vertex functions; (ii) we include the feedback effect of the self-energy; (iii) we implement the recently introduced multiloop extension which allows us to sum up {\emph{all}} the diagrams of the parquet approximation with their exact weight. Due to its iterative structure based on successive one-loop computations, the loop convergence of the fRG results can be obtained with an affordable numerical effort. In particular, focusing on the analysis of the physical response functions, we show that the results become {\emph{independent}} from the chosen cutoff scheme and from the way the fRG susceptibilities are computed, i.e., either through flowing couplings to external fields, or through a "post-processing" contraction of the interaction vertex at the end of the flow. The presented substantial refinement of fRG-based computation schemes paves a promising route towards future quantitative fRG analyses of more challenging systems and/or parameter regimes.

  48 citations

• The skyrmion-bubble transition in a ferromagnetic thin film

  Anne Bernand-Mantel, Lorenzo Camosi, Alexis Wartelle, Nicolas Rougemaille, Michaël Darques, Laurent Ranno

  SciPost Phys. 4, 027 (2018) · published 25 May 2018 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  Magnetic skyrmions and bubbles, observed in ferromagnetic thin films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, are topological solitons which differ by their characteristic size and the balance in the energies at the origin of their stabilisation. However, these two spin textures have the same topology and a continuous transformation between them is allowed. In the present work, we derive an analytical model to explore the skyrmion-bubble transition. We evidence a region in the parameter space where both topological soliton solutions coexist and close to which transformations between skyrmion and bubbles are observed as a function of the magnetic field. Above a critical point, at which the energy barrier separating both solutions vanishes, only one topological soliton solution remains, which size can be continuously tuned from micrometer to nanometer with applied magnetic field.

  48 citations

• Carroll Expansion of General Relativity

  Dennis Hansen, Niels A. Obers, Gerben Oling, Benjamin T. Søgaard

  SciPost Phys. 13, 055 (2022) · published 8 September 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We study the small speed of light expansion of general relativity, utilizing the modern perspective on non-Lorentzian geometry. This is an expansion around the ultra-local Carroll limit, in which light cones close up. To this end, we first rewrite the Einstein-Hilbert action in pre-ultra-local variables, which is closely related to the 3+1 decomposition of general relativity. At leading order in the expansion, these pre-ultra-local variables yield Carroll geometry and the resulting action describes the electric Carroll limit of general relativity. We also obtain the next-to-leading order action in terms of Carroll geometry and next-to-leading order geometric fields. The leading order theory yields constraint and evolution equations, and we can solve the evolution analytically. We furthermore construct a Carroll version of Bowen-York initial data, which has associated conserved boundary linear and angular momentum charges. The notion of mass is not present at leading order and only enters at next-to-leading order. This is illustrated by considering a particular truncation of the next-to-leading order action, corresponding to the magnetic Carroll limit, where we find a solution that describes the Carroll limit of a Schwarzschild black hole. Finally, we comment on how a cosmological constant can be incorporated in our analysis.

  48 citations