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Fractons on curved spacetime in 2 + 1 dimensions

by Jelle Hartong, Giandomenico Palumbo, Simon Pekar, Alfredo Perez, Stefan Prohazka

Submission summary

Authors (as registered SciPost users): Alfredo Perez · Stefan Prohazka
Submission information
Preprint Link: scipost_202409_00027v2  (pdf)
Date submitted: 2024-11-25 14:24
Submitted by: Perez, Alfredo
Submitted to: SciPost Physics
Ontological classification
Academic field: Physics
Specialties:
  • Condensed Matter Physics - Theory
  • High-Energy Physics - Theory
Approach: Theoretical

Abstract

We study dipole Chern--Simons theory with and without a cosmological constant in $2+1$ dimensions. We write the theory in a second order formulation and show that this leads to a fracton gauge theory coupled to Aristotelian geometry which can also be coupled to matter. This coupling exhibits the remarkable property of generalizing dipole gauge invariance to curved spacetimes, without placing any limitations on the possible geometries. We also use the second order formulation to construct a higher dimensional generalization of the action. Finally, for the $(2+1)$-dimensional Chern--Simons theory we find solutions and interpret these as electric monopoles, analyze their charges and argue that the asymptotic symmetries are infinite-dimensional.

Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations

  • Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
  • Open a new pathway in an existing or a new research direction, with clear potential for multi-pronged follow-up work
  • Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
  • Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block

Author comments upon resubmission

We sincerely thank both referees for their comments. To address the comments provided by Referee 1, we have added two new paragraphs.

List of changes

We have incorporated the following two new paragraphs:

- Below Eq. (3.42)

“In summary, we have brought the Chern--Simons theory based on the fracton algebra, with and without cosmological constant, from the first order to the second order formulation. In the second order formulation, the Lagrangian depends on the geometric quantities that describe an Aristotelian geometry, $(\tau_{\mu},h_{\mu\nu})$. This is analogous to the reformulation of Chern--Simons theories based on the Poincar\'e or (A)dS algebras to-three dimensional gravity in the metric formulation~\cite{Achucarro:1987vz,Witten:1988hc}, but without Lorentzian boost symmetry. Additionally, our theory naturally incorporates the coupling of a fractonic electromagnetic field, described by $(\phi,A_{\mu\nu})$ to the Aristotelian gravitational theory, such that we have a generalization of dipole conservation to curved and unrestricted Aristotelian geometry. Further physical implications of this theory are discussed in~\cite{Huang:2023zhp}.”

- In page 17 in the discussion section:

“\item[Aristotelian black holes] The circularly symmetric solution described in Section \ref{sec:solutions-charges}, with negative cosmological constant, shares many properties with the BTZ black hole in General Relativity. It is therefore natural to ask whether it is possible to define a notion of an ``Aristotelian black hole’’. Given the significant differences between the properties of Aristotelian and Riemannian geometries, one might attempt to extend the concept of an event horizon to Aristotelian geometries, as well as their thermal properties, as was done, for example, in the case of Carrollian gravitational theories \cite{Ecker:2023uwm}. One possible approach is to leverage the isomorphism between the dipole algebra with a negative cosmological constant and the three-dimensional Poincaré algebra to describe thermal solutions within the Chern-Simons formulation of the Aristotelian theory. In particular, we would like to study whether the flat-space generalization of the Cardy formula \cite{Bagchi:2012xr,Barnich:2012xq} could play a significant role in describing the thermal properties of Aristotelian black holes, as well as its connection to the BMS-type asymptotic conditions outlined in \eqref{eq:as_cond}.”

Current status:
In refereeing

Reports on this Submission

Report #2 by Mariano Cadoni (Referee 1) on 2024-11-26 (Invited Report)

Report

The authors have addressed the issues that I have raised, the paper is now suitable for publication

Recommendation

Publish (easily meets expectations and criteria for this Journal; among top 50%)

  • validity: -
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Report #1 by Mariano Cadoni (Referee 1) on 2024-11-26 (Invited Report)

Report

The authors have addressed the issues I have raised , the paper is now suitable for publication.

Recommendation

Publish (easily meets expectations and criteria for this Journal; among top 50%)

  • validity: -
  • significance: -
  • originality: -
  • clarity: -
  • formatting: -
  • grammar: -

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