$Z_3$ topological order in the quantum dimer-pentamer model

Abstract

We introduce the quantum dimer-pentamer model (QDPM) on the square lattice. This model is a generalization of the square lattice quantum dimer model as its configuration space comprises fully-packed hard-core dimer coverings as well as dimer configurations containing pentamers, where four dimers touch a vertex. Thus in the QDPM, the fully-packed, hard-core constraint of the quantum dimer model is relaxed such that the local dimer number at each vertex is fixed modulo 3, resulting in an exact local $Z_3$ gauge symmetry. We construct a local Hamiltonian for which the Rokhsar-Kivelson (RK) equal superposition state is the exact ground state and has a 9-fold topological degeneracy on the torus. Using Monte Carlo calculations, we find no spontaneous symmetry breaking in the RK wavefunction and that its dimer-dimer correlation function decays exponentially. By doping the QDPM RK state with a pair of monomers, we demonstrate that $Z_3$ electric charges are deconfined. Additionally, we introduce a $Z_3$ magnetic string operator that we find decays exponentially and shows no signatures of magnetic vortex condensation and with correlations. These numerical results suggest that the ground state of the QDPM is a dimer liquid with $Z_3$ topological order.