We study a $U(1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1)$ system in (2+1) dimensions with long-range interactions and mutual statistics. The model has the same form after the application of operations from the modular group, a property which we call modular invariance. Using the modular invariance of the model, we propose a possible phase diagram. We obtain a sign-free reformulation of the model and study it in Monte Carlo. This study confirms our proposed phase diagram. We use the modular invariance to analytically determine the current-current correlation functions and conductivities in all the phases in the diagram, as well as at special ``fixed'' points which are unchanged by an operation from the modular group. We numerically determine the order of the phase transitions, and find segments of second-order transitions. For the statistical interaction parameter $\ensuremath{\theta}=\ensuremath{\pi}$, these second-order transitions are evidence of a critical loop phase obtained when both loops are trying to condense simultaneously. We also measure the critical exponents of the second-order transitions.
We study a U(1)×U(1) system in (2+1) dimensions with long-range interactions and mutual statistics. The model has the same form after the application of operations from the modular group, a property which we call modular invariance. Using the modular invariance of the model, we propose a possible phase diagram. We obtain a sign-free reformulation of the model and study it in Monte Carlo. This study confirms our proposed phase diagram. We use the modular invariance to analytically determine the current-current correlation functions and conductivities in all the phases in the diagram, as well as at special “fixed” points which are unchanged by an operation from the modular group. We numerically determine the order of the phase transitions, and find segments of second-order transitions. For the statistical interaction parameter θ=π, these second-order transitions are evidence of a critical loop phase obtained when both loops are trying to condense simultaneously. We also measure the critical exponents of the second-order transitions.
We study a $U(1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1)$ system with two species of loops with mutual $\ensuremath{\pi}$ statistics in (2 + 1) dimensions. We are able to reformulate the model in a way that can be studied by Monte Carlo and we determine the phase diagram. In addition to a phase with no loops, we find two phases with only one species of loop proliferated. The model has a self-dual line, a segment of which separates these two phases. Everywhere on the segment, we find the transition to be first-order, signifying that the two loop systems behave as immiscible fluids when they are both trying to condense. Moving further along the self-dual line, we find a phase where both loops proliferate, but they are only of even strength and, therefore, avoid the statistical interactions. We study another model, which does not have this phase, and also find first-order behavior on the self-dual segment.
We study a $U(1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1)$ system with short-range interactions and mutual $\ensuremath{\theta}=2\ensuremath{\pi}/3$ statistics in (2+1) dimensions. We are able to reformulate the model to eliminate the sign problem and perform a Monte Carlo study. We find a phase diagram containing a phase with only small loops and two phases with one species of proliferated loop. We also find a phase where both species of loop condense, but without any gapless modes. Lastly, when the energy cost of loops becomes small, we find a phase that is a condensate of bound states, each made up of three particles of one species and a vortex of the other. We define several exact reformulations of the model that allow us to precisely describe each phase in terms of gapped excitations. We propose field-theoretic descriptions of the phases and phase transitions, which are particularly interesting on the ``self-dual'' line where both species have identical interactions. We also define irreducible responses useful for describing the phases.
The simplest topologically ordered phase in 2+1D is the deconfined phase of
Z2 gauge theory, realized for example in the toric code. This phase permits a duality that exchanges electric and magnetic excitations (``
e'' and ``
m'' particles). Condensing either particle while the other remains gapped yields a phase transition with 3D Ising exponents. More mysterious, however, is the transition out of the deconfined phase when self-duality symmetry is preserved. If this transition is continuous, which has so far been unclear, then it may be the simplest critical point for which we still lack any useful continuum Lagrangian description. This transition also has a soft matter interpretation, as a multicritical point for classical membranes in 3D. We study the self-dual transition with Monte Carlo simulations of the
Z2 gauge-Higgs model on cubic lattices of linear size
L≤96. Our results indicate a continuous transition: for example, cumulants show a striking parameter-free scaling collapse. We estimate scaling dimensions by using duality symmetry to distinguish the leading duality-odd/duality-even scaling operators
A and
S. All local operators have large scaling dimensions, making standard techniques for locating the critical point ineffective. We develop an alternative using ``renormalization group trajectories'' of cumulants. We check that two- and three-point functions, and temporal correlators in the Monte-Carlo dynamics, are scale-invariant, with scaling dimensions
xA and
xS and dynamical exponent
z. We also give a picture for emergence of 1-form symmetries, in some parts of the phase diagram, in terms of ``patching'' of membranes/worldsurfaces. We relate this to the percolation of anyon worldlines in spacetime. Analyzing percolation yields a fourth exponent for the self-dual transition. We propose variations of the model for further investigation.