A fracton is an unusual new type of emergent quasiparticle, first proposed in the context of quantum spin liquids, which does not have the ability to move by itself. Rather, fractons can only move by forming certain bound states. In this talk, I will show that symmetric tensor gauge theories provide a natural theoretical framework for fractons, with the unusual mobility restrictions encoded in a set of higher moment charge conservation laws, such as conservation of dipole moment. I will then show how the tensor gauge theory formalism identifies the conventional elastic theory of solids as the first clear realization of fracton physics. I will briefly discuss connections between fractons and other areas of physics, such as gravitation and many-body localization. Finally, I will discuss experimental signatures which can be used to detect fractons and emergent tensor gauge theories, such as pinch-point singularities in certain correlation functions.
Host: Jack Harris
jack.harris@yale.edu