Higher-Form Response of 3D Fractional Topological Insulators

ORAL

Abstract

Three-dimensional fractional topological insulators (FTIs) are exotic symmetry enriched phases hosting extended defects with anyonic statistics. Here we consider the higher-form global symmetries and anomalies of a special family of bulk FTI models based on ZN lattice gauge theory with a fractional theta term, which were originally explored by Cardy and Rabinovici. These models host dyon excitations that condense to form the FTI phase. We examine the 't Hooft anomalies and response of these theories to an external two-form gauge field that probes their electric ZN one-form symmetry, which we show leads to a universal topological index for the FTI state.

*HG is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation EPiQS Initiative through Grant No. GBMF8684 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. RS acknowledges the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) [funding reference number 6799-516762-2018]. This work is also supported in part by the US National Science Foundation under grant No. DMR-1725401 at the University of Illinois (BTM, RS, EHF).

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Presenters

  • Benjamin T Moy

    • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Authors

  • Benjamin T Moy

    • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Hart Goldman

    • Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT
    • MIT

  • Ramanjit Sohal

    • Princeton University

  • Eduardo H Fradkin

    • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    • University of Illinois