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Topologically stable ergodicity breaking from emergent higher-form symmetries in generalized quantum loop models
by Charles Stahl, Rahul Nandkishore, Oliver Hart
This Submission thread is now published as
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Oliver Hart · Rahul Nandkishore · Charles Stahl |
| Submission information | |
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| Preprint Link: | scipost_202312_00049v1 (pdf) |
| Date accepted: | 2024-01-15 |
| Date submitted: | 2023-12-28 15:13 |
| Submitted by: | Stahl, Charles |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
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| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
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| Approach: | Theoretical |
Abstract
We present a set of generalized quantum loop models which provably exhibit topologically stable ergodicity breaking. These results hold for both periodic and open boundary conditions, and derive from a one-form symmetry (notably not being restricted to sectors of extremal one-form charge). We identify simple models in which this one-form symmetry can be emergent, giving rise to the aforementioned ergodicity breaking as an exponentially long-lived prethermal phenomenon. We unveil a web of dualities that connects these models, in certain limits, to models that have previously been discussed in the literature. We also identify nonlocal conserved quantities in such models that correspond to a pattern of system-spanning domain walls, and which are robust to the addition of arbitrary $k$-local perturbations.
Author comments upon resubmission
We thank you for arranging the review of this manuscript. We are pleased that all three referees liked our manuscript and recommended publication, pending some minor changes. We have modified our manuscript to address the requests of the referees and we trust that it will now be judged suitable for publication. A detailed response to each referee follows below.
Sincerely,
Charles Stahl, Rahul Nandkishore and Oliver Hart
List of changes
1. We have added a paragraph to the conclusions to discuss the connections between ergodicity breaking and higher-form symmetries.
2. We have added a new Appendix (Appendix C) discussing whether fragmentation in the model is weak or strong.
Published as SciPost Phys. 16, 068 (2024)