Continuum field theory of three-dimensional topological orders with emergent fermions and braiding statistics

Universal topological data of topologically ordered phases can be captured by topological quantum field theory in continuous space time by taking the limit of low energies and long wavelengths. While previous continuum field-theoretical studies of topological orders in three-dimensional (3D) real sp...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Zhi-Feng Zhang, Qing-Rui Wang, Peng Ye
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2023-11-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.043111
Description
Summary:Universal topological data of topologically ordered phases can be captured by topological quantum field theory in continuous space time by taking the limit of low energies and long wavelengths. While previous continuum field-theoretical studies of topological orders in three-dimensional (3D) real space focused on either self-statistics, braiding statistics, shrinking rules, fusion rules, or quantum dimensions, it has yet to systematically put all topological data together in a unified continuum field-theoretical framework. Here, we construct the topological BF field theory with twisted terms (e.g., AAdA and AAB) as well as a K-matrix BB term to simultaneously explore all such topological data and reach anomaly-free topological orders. Following the spirit of the famous K-matrix Chern-Simons theory of two-dimensional topological orders, we present general formulas and systematically show how the K-matrix BB term confines topological excitations, and how self-statistics of particles is transmuted between bosonic one and fermionic one. To reach anomaly-free topological orders, we explore, within the present continuum field-theoretical framework, how the principle of gauge invariance fundamentally influences possible realizations of topological data. More concretely, we present the topological actions of (i) particle-loop braidings with emergent fermions, (ii) multiloop braidings with emergent fermions, and (iii) Borromean rings braidings with emergent fermions, and calculate their universal topological data. Together with previous efforts, our paper paves the way toward a more systematic and complete continuum field-theoretical analysis of exotic topological properties of 3D topological orders. Several interesting future directions are also discussed.
ISSN:2643-1564