Covariant fracton gauge theory with boundary

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Bertolini, Erica, Maggiore, Nicola, Palumbo, Giandomenico
• Format: Paper Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 24.06.2023
• Subjects: Dipole moments; Gauge theory; Physics - General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology; Physics - High Energy Physics - Theory; Physics - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics; Physics - Strongly Correlated Electrons; Tensors
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2306.13883

In this paper we study the consequences of the introduction of a flat boundary on a 4D covariant rank-2 gauge theory described by a linear combination of linearized gravity and covariant fracton theory. We show that this theory gives rise to a Maxwell-Chern-Simons-like theory of two rank-2 traceless symmetric tensor fields. This induced 3D theory can be physically traced back to the traceless scalar charge theory of fractons, where the Chern-Simons-like term plays the role of a matter contribution. By further imposing time reversal invariance on the boundary, the Chern-Simons-like term disappears. Importantly, on the boundary of our 4D gauge theory we find a generalized U(1) Kaç-Moody algebra and the induced 3D theory is characterized by the conservation of the dipole moment.