The fractionalization of global symmetry charges is a striking hallmark of topological quantum order. Here, we discuss the fractionalization of subsystem symmetries in two-dimensional topological phases. In line with previous no-go arguments, we show that subsystem symmetry fractionalization is not possible in many cases due to the additional rigid geometric structure of the symmetries. However, we identify a mechanism that allows fractionalization, involving global relations between macroscopically many symmetry generators. We find that anyons can fractionalize such relations, meaning that the total charge carried under all generators involved in the global relation is nontrivial, despite the fact that these generators multiply to the identity. We first discuss the general algebraic framework needed to characterize this type of fractionalization, and then explore this framework using a number of exactly solvable models with ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ topological order, including models having line and fractal symmetries. These models all showcase another necessary property of subsystem symmetry fractionalization: Fractionalized anyons must have restricted mobility when the symmetry is enforced, such that they are confined to a single line or point in the case of line and fractal symmetries, respectively. Looking forward, we expect that our identification of the importance of global relations in fractionalization will hold significance for the classification of phases with subsystem symmetries in all dimensions.The fractionalization of global symmetry charges is a striking hallmark of topological quantum order. Here, we discuss the fractionalization of subsystem symmetries in two-dimensional topological phases. In line with previous no-go arguments, we show that subsystem symmetry fractionalization is not possible in many cases due to the additional rigid geometric structure of the symmetries. However, we identify a mechanism that allows fractionalization, involving global relations between macroscopically many symmetry generators. We find that anyons can fractionalize such relations, meaning that the total charge carried under all generators involved in the global relation is nontrivial, despite the fact that these generators multiply to the identity. We first discuss the general algebraic framework needed to characterize this type of fractionalization, and then explore this framework using a number of exactly solvable models with ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ topological order, including models having line and fractal symmetries. These models all showcase another necessary property of subsystem symmetry fractionalization: Fractionalized anyons must have restricted mobility when the symmetry is enforced, such that they are confined to a single line or point in the case of line and fractal symmetries, respectively. Looking forward, we expect that our identification of the importance of global relations in fractionalization will hold significance for the classification of phases with subsystem symmetries in all dimensions.

arXiv:2203.13244Physical review. B./Physical review. BAug 3, 202215 citations

Symmetry fractionalization, defects, and gauging of topological phases

Maissam Barkeshli, Parsa Bonderson, Meng Cheng +1 more

This paper develops a comprehensive theory of symmetry fractionalization together with the properties of symmetry defects in topologically ordered phases of matter in two spatial dimensions. To do this, the authors also introduce the full set of data, consistency conditions, and equivalences for a mathematical theory, known as a G-crossed braided tensor category, that characterizes the algebraic braiding and fusion properties of symmetry defects. This theoretical framework can completely characterize and classify symmetry-enriched topological phases of matter in the presence of arbitrarily strong interactions in quantum many-body systems in two spatial dimensions.This paper develops a comprehensive theory of symmetry fractionalization together with the properties of symmetry defects in topologically ordered phases of matter in two spatial dimensions. To do this, the authors also introduce the full set of data, consistency conditions, and equivalences for a mathematical theory, known as a G-crossed braided tensor category, that characterizes the algebraic braiding and fusion properties of symmetry defects. This theoretical framework can completely characterize and classify symmetry-enriched topological phases of matter in the presence of arbitrarily strong interactions in quantum many-body systems in two spatial dimensions.

arXiv:1410.4540Physical review. B./Physical review. BSep 20, 2019534 citations

Building Symmetry Fractionalizations from a Bipartite Lattice Construction

Jong Yeon Lee, Ari M. Turner, Ashvin Vishwanath

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMar 9, 20180 citations

Interaction-induced particle-hole symmetry breaking and fractional exclusion statistics

Xibo Zhang, Yang-Yang Chen, Longxiang Liu +2 more

Quantum statistics plays a fundamental role in the laws of nature. Haldane fractional exclusion statistics (FES) generalizes the Pauli exclusion statistics, and can emerge in the properties of elementary particles and hole excitations of a quantum system consisting of conventional bosons or fermions. FES has a long history of intensive studies, but its simple realization in interacting physical systems is rare. Here we report a simple non-mutual FES that depicts the particle-hole symmetry breaking in interacting Bose gases at a quantum critical point. We show that the FES distribution directly comes from particle-hole symmetry breaking. Based on exact solutions, quantum Monte Carlo simulations and experiments, we find that, over a wide range of interaction strengths, the macroscopic physical properties of these gases are determined by non-interacting quasi-particles that obey non-mutual FES of the same form in one and two dimensions. Whereas strongly interacting Bose gases reach full fermionization in one dimension, they exhibit incomplete fermionization in two dimensions. Our results provide a generic connection between interaction-induced particle-hole symmetry breaking (depicted by FES) and macroscopic properties of many-body systems in arbitrary dimensions. Our work lays the groundwork for using FES to explore quantum criticality and other novel many-body phenomena in strongly correlated quantum systems.Quantum statistics plays a fundamental role in the laws of nature. Haldane fractional exclusion statistics (FES) generalizes the Pauli exclusion statistics, and can emerge in the properties of elementary particles and hole excitations of a quantum system consisting of conventional bosons or fermions. FES has a long history of intensive studies, but its simple realization in interacting physical systems is rare. Here we report a simple non-mutual FES that depicts the particle-hole symmetry breaking in interacting Bose gases at a quantum critical point. We show that the FES distribution directly comes from particle-hole symmetry breaking. Based on exact solutions, quantum Monte Carlo simulations and experiments, we find that, over a wide range of interaction strengths, the macroscopic physical properties of these gases are determined by non-interacting quasi-particles that obey non-mutual FES of the same form in one and two dimensions. Whereas strongly interacting Bose gases reach full fermionization in one dimension, they exhibit incomplete fermionization in two dimensions. Our results provide a generic connection between interaction-induced particle-hole symmetry breaking (depicted by FES) and macroscopic properties of many-body systems in arbitrary dimensions. Our work lays the groundwork for using FES to explore quantum criticality and other novel many-body phenomena in strongly correlated quantum systems.

arXiv:1910.11365National Science ReviewFeb 21, 20227 citations

{\mathbb{Z}}_{2}

topological order, including models having line and fractal symmetries. These models all showcase another necessary property of subsystem symmetry fractionalization: Fractionalized anyons must have restricted mobility when the symmetry is enforced, such that they are confined to a single line or point in the case of line and fractal symmetries, respectively. Looking forward, we expect that our identification of the importance of global relations in fractionalization will hold significance for the classification of phases with subsystem symmetries in all dimensions.