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More Exotic Field Theories in 3+1 Dimensions

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

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Submission summary

Authors (as registered SciPost users): Pranay Gorantla · Ho Tat Lam · Nathan Seiberg · Shu-Heng Shao
Submission information
Preprint Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2007.04904v2  (pdf)
Date submitted: 2020-08-24 14:59
Submitted by: Lam, Ho Tat
Submitted to: SciPost Physics
Ontological classification
Academic field: Physics
Specialties:
  • Condensed Matter Physics - Theory
  • High-Energy Physics - Theory
Approach: Theoretical

Abstract

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.

Current status:
Has been resubmitted

Reports on this Submission

Report #1 by Anonymous (Referee 2) on 2020-9-21 (Invited Report)

  • Cite as: Anonymous, Report on arXiv:2007.04904v2, delivered 2020-09-21, doi: 10.21468/SciPost.Report.2016

Report

This paper is a follow up to several previous papers by the same set of authors on the exploration of quantum field theory description of fracton models. The authors made significant progress on this topic by making use of nonstandard quantum fields where discontinuous configurations play an important role. This paper, following the framework established in previous papers, discussed several more examples. It is carefully written and provides nice pedagogical material for anyone who wants to learn the method in detail. I support its publication in Scipost although I think it would be helpful if the authors can explain more about the general logic behind their writing. Right now, the paper is presented as "some more examples". What is the importance of these examples? The authors did comment on the connection of some of them to those discussed in previous papers, but it is not clear why they find these models interesting. In general, I find the series of papers very carefully written and the cases explored in detail, but I would appreciate if the authors can comment more broadly on where they think this effort can lead us. My understanding from reading the series is that first we learn the surprising fact that it is possible to describe the exotic fracton physics using field theory, secondly the key to this description is to consider discontinuous configurations of the field (but still more continuous than typical lattice configurations). What are other important take home messages? How does this help with our understanding of the fracton models? On the other hand, what do we learn about field theory from this process? Addressing these questions is not essential to the publication of this paper, but I would find it very helpful.

  • validity: top
  • significance: good
  • originality: high
  • clarity: top
  • formatting: perfect
  • grammar: perfect

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