Fractons, non-Riemannian geometry, and double field theory

We initiate a systematic study of fracton physics within the geometric framework of double field theory. We ascribe the immobility and large degeneracy of the former to the non-Riemannian backgrounds of the latter, in terms of generalized geodesics and infinite-dimensional isometries. A doubled pure...

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Main Authors: Stephen Angus, Minkyoo Kim, Jeong-Hyuck Park
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2022-09-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.033186
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author Stephen Angus
Minkyoo Kim
Jeong-Hyuck Park
author_facet Stephen Angus
Minkyoo Kim
Jeong-Hyuck Park
author_sort Stephen Angus
collection DOAJ
description We initiate a systematic study of fracton physics within the geometric framework of double field theory. We ascribe the immobility and large degeneracy of the former to the non-Riemannian backgrounds of the latter, in terms of generalized geodesics and infinite-dimensional isometries. A doubled pure Yang-Mills or Maxwell theory reduces to an ordinary one coupled to a strain tensor of elasticity theory and thus rather remarkably provides a unifying description of photons and phonons. Upon a general double field theory background, which consists of Riemannian and non-Riemannian subspaces, the dual photon-phonon pair becomes fractonic over the non-Riemannian subspace. When the elasticity displacement vector condenses, minimally coupled charged particles acquire an effective mass even in the purely Riemannian case, yielding predictions for polaron physics and time crystals. Furthermore, the immobility of neutral particles along the non-Riemannian directions is lifted to a saturation velocity for charged particles. Utilizing the differential geometry of double field theory, we also present curved spacetime extensions which exhibit general covariance.
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spelling doaj.art-474de48021164e2882458cecf452f6182024-04-12T17:24:19ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642022-09-014303318610.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.033186Fractons, non-Riemannian geometry, and double field theoryStephen AngusMinkyoo KimJeong-Hyuck ParkWe initiate a systematic study of fracton physics within the geometric framework of double field theory. We ascribe the immobility and large degeneracy of the former to the non-Riemannian backgrounds of the latter, in terms of generalized geodesics and infinite-dimensional isometries. A doubled pure Yang-Mills or Maxwell theory reduces to an ordinary one coupled to a strain tensor of elasticity theory and thus rather remarkably provides a unifying description of photons and phonons. Upon a general double field theory background, which consists of Riemannian and non-Riemannian subspaces, the dual photon-phonon pair becomes fractonic over the non-Riemannian subspace. When the elasticity displacement vector condenses, minimally coupled charged particles acquire an effective mass even in the purely Riemannian case, yielding predictions for polaron physics and time crystals. Furthermore, the immobility of neutral particles along the non-Riemannian directions is lifted to a saturation velocity for charged particles. Utilizing the differential geometry of double field theory, we also present curved spacetime extensions which exhibit general covariance.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.033186
spellingShingle Stephen Angus
Minkyoo Kim
Jeong-Hyuck Park
Fractons, non-Riemannian geometry, and double field theory
Physical Review Research
title Fractons, non-Riemannian geometry, and double field theory
title_full Fractons, non-Riemannian geometry, and double field theory
title_fullStr Fractons, non-Riemannian geometry, and double field theory
title_full_unstemmed Fractons, non-Riemannian geometry, and double field theory
title_short Fractons, non-Riemannian geometry, and double field theory
title_sort fractons non riemannian geometry and double field theory
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.033186
work_keys_str_mv AT stephenangus fractonsnonriemanniangeometryanddoublefieldtheory
AT minkyookim fractonsnonriemanniangeometryanddoublefieldtheory
AT jeonghyuckpark fractonsnonriemanniangeometryanddoublefieldtheory