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Pranay Gorantla

Publications and source records attributed to Pranay Gorantla.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

There and Back Again: A Gauging Nexus between Topological and Fracton Phases

Coupled layer constructions are a valuable tool for capturing the universal properties of certain interacting quantum phases of matter in terms of the simpler data that characterizes the underlying layers. In the study of fracton phases, the X-Cube model in 3+1D can be realized via such a construction by starting with a stack of 2+1D Toric Codes and turning on a coupling which condenses a composite "particle-string" object. In a recent work [Phys. Rev. B 112, 125124 (2025)], we have demonstrated that in fact, the particle-string can be viewed as a symmetry defect of a topological 1-form symmetry. In this paper, we study the result of gauging this symmetry in depth. We unveil a rich gauging web relating the X-Cube model to symmetry protected topological (SPT) phases protected by a mix of subsystem and higher-form symmetries, subsystem symmetry fractionalization in the 3+1D Toric Code, and non-trivial extensions of topological symmetries by subsystem symmetries. Our work emphasizes the importance of topological symmetries in non-topological, geometric phases of matter.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2025

Deformed LDPC codes with spontaneously broken non-invertible duality symmetries

Low-density parity check (LDPC) codes are a well known class of Pauli stabiliser Hamiltonians that furnish fixed-point realisations of nontrivial gapped phases such as symmetry breaking and topologically ordered (including fracton) phases. In this work, we propose symmetry-preserving deformations of these models, in the presence of a transverse field, and identify special points along the deformations with interesting features: (i) the special point is frustration-free, (ii) its ground states include a product state and the code space of the underlying code, and (iii) it remains gapped in the thermodynamic (infinite volume) limit. So the special point realises a first-order transition between (or the coexistence of) the trivial gapped phase and the nontrivial gapped phase associated with the code. In addition, if the original model has a non-invertible duality symmetry, then so does the deformed model. In this case, the duality symmetry is spontaneously broken at the special point, consistent with the associated anomaly. A key step in proving the gap is a coarse-graining/blocking procedure on the Tanner graph of the code that allows us to apply the martingale method successfully. Our model, therefore, provides the first application of the martingale method to a frustration-free model, that is not commuting projector, defined on an arbitrary Tanner graph. We also discuss several familiar examples on Euclidean spatial lattice. Of particular interest is the 2+1d transverse field Ising model: while there is no non-invertible duality symmetry in this case, our results, together with known numerical results, suggest the existence of a tricritical point in the phase diagram.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2025

Duality-preserving deformation of 3+1d lattice $\mathbb Z_2$ gauge theory with exact gapped ground states

We propose and analyze a deformation of the 3+1d lattice $\mathbb Z_2$ gauge theory that preserves the non-invertible Wegner duality symmetry at the self-dual point. We identify a frustration-free point along this deformation where there are nine exactly degenerate ground states (on a periodic cubic lattice) even at finite volume. One of these ground states is a trivial product state and the rest are the topologically-ordered ground states of the 3+1d toric code. We also prove that the frustration-free point is gapped in the thermodynamic limit. Our model, therefore, realizes a gapped phase with spontaneously broken Wegner duality symmetry. Furthermore, by imposing the Gauss law constraints energetically, all the above features can be realized on a tensor product Hilbert space. Finally, we discuss a generalization of this deformation to the 3+1d lattice $\mathbb Z_N$ gauge theory and conjecture the possible phase diagram.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2025

String-Membrane-Nets from Higher-Form Gauging: An Alternate Route to $p$-String Condensation

We present a new perspective on the $p$-string condensation procedure for constructing 3+1D fracton phases by implementing this process via the gauging of higher-form symmetries. Specifically, we show that gauging a 1-form symmetry in 3+1D that is generated by Abelian anyons in isotropic stacks of 2+1D topological orders naturally results in a 3+1D $p$-string condensed phase, providing a controlled non-perturbative construction that realizes fracton orders. This approach clarifies the symmetry principles underlying $p$-string condensation and generalizes the familiar connection between anyon condensation and one-form gauging in two spatial dimensions. We demonstrate this correspondence explicitly in both field theories and lattice models: in field theory, we derive the foliated field theory description of the $\mathbb{Z}_N$ X-Cube model by gauging a higher-form symmetry in stacks of 2+1D $\mathbb{Z}_N$ gauge theories; on the lattice, we show how gauging a diagonal 1-form symmetry in isotropic stacks of $G$-graded string-net models leads to string-membrane-nets hosting restricted mobility excitations. This perspective naturally generalizes to spatial dimensions $d \geq 2$ and provides a step towards building an algebraic theory of $p$-string condensation.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2025

Entanglement renormalization of fractonic anisotropic $\mathbb{Z}_N$ Laplacian models

Gapped fracton phases constitute a new class of quantum states of matter which connects to topological orders but does not fit easily into existing paradigms. They host unconventional features such as sub-extensive and robust ground state degeneracies as well as sensitivity to lattice geometry. We investigate the anisotropic $\mathbb{Z}_N$ Laplacian model [1] which can describe a family of fracton phases defined on arbitrary graphs. Focusing on representative geometries where the 3D lattices are extensions of 2D square, triangular, honeycomb and Kagome lattices into the third dimension, we study their ground state degeneracies and mobility of excitations, and examine their entanglement renormalization group (ERG) flows. All models show bifurcating behaviors under ERG but have distinct ERG flows sensitive to both $N$ and lattice geometry. In particular, we show that the anisotropic $\mathbb{Z}_N$ Laplacian models defined on the extensions of triangular and honeycomb lattices are equivalent when $N$ is coprime to $3$. We also point out that, in contrast to previous expectations, the model defined on the extension of Kagome lattice is robust against local perturbations if and only if $N$ is coprime to $6$.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2024

Tensor networks for non-invertible symmetries in 3+1d and beyond

Tensor networks provide a natural language for non-invertible symmetries in general Hamiltonian lattice models. We use ZX-diagrams, which are tensor network presentations of quantum circuits, to define a non-invertible operator implementing the Wegner duality in 3+1d lattice $\mathbb{Z}_2$ gauge theory. The non-invertible algebra, which mixes with lattice translations, can be efficiently computed using ZX-calculus. We further deform the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ gauge theory while preserving the duality and find a model with nine exactly degenerate ground states on a torus, consistent with the Lieb-Schultz-Mattis-type constraint imposed by the symmetry. Finally, we provide a ZX-diagram presentation of the non-invertible duality operators (including non-invertible parity/reflection symmetries) of generalized Ising models based on graphs, encompassing the 1+1d Ising model, the three-spin Ising model, the Ashkin-Teller model, and the 2+1d plaquette Ising model. The mixing (or lack thereof) with spatial symmetries is understood from a unifying perspective based on graph theory.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2023

2+1d Compact Lifshitz Theory, Tensor Gauge Theory, and Fractons

The 2+1d continuum Lifshitz theory of a free compact scalar field plays a prominent role in a variety of quantum systems in condensed matter physics and high energy physics. It is known that in compact space, it has an infinite ground state degeneracy. In order to understand this theory better, we consider two candidate lattice regularizations of it using the modified Villain formalism. We show that these two lattice theories have significantly different global symmetries (including a dipole global symmetry), anomalies, ground state degeneracies, and dualities. In particular, one of them is self-dual. Given these theories and their global symmetries, we can couple them to corresponding gauge theories. These are two different $U(1)$ tensor gauge theories. The resulting models have excitations with restricted mobility, i.e., fractons. Finally, we give an exact lattice realization of the fracton/lineon-elasticity dualities for the Lifshitz theory, scalar and vector charge gauge theories.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2022

Gapped Lineon and Fracton Models on Graphs

We introduce a $\mathbb{Z}_N$ stabilizer code that can be defined on any spatial lattice of the form $Γ\times C_{L_z}$, where $Γ$ is a general graph. We also present the low-energy limit of this stabilizer code as a Euclidean lattice action, which we refer to as the anisotropic $\mathbb{Z}_N$ Laplacian model. It is gapped, robust (i.e., stable under small deformations), and has lineons. Its ground state degeneracy (GSD) is expressed in terms of a "mod $N$-reduction" of the Jacobian group of the graph $Γ$. In the special case when space is an $L\times L\times L_z$ cubic lattice, the logarithm of the GSD depends on $L$ in an erratic way and grows no faster than $O(L)$. We also discuss another gapped model, the $\mathbb{Z}_N$ Laplacian model, which can be defined on any graph. It has fractons and a similarly strange GSD.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2022

Fractons on Graphs and Complexity

We introduce two exotic lattice models on a general spatial graph. The first one is a matter theory of a compact Lifshitz scalar field, while the second one is a certain rank-2 $U(1)$ gauge theory of fractons. Both lattice models are defined via the discrete Laplacian operator on a general graph. We unveil an intriguing correspondence between the physical observables of these lattice models and graph theory quantities. For instance, the ground state degeneracy of the matter theory equals the number of spanning trees of the spatial graph, which is a common measure of complexity in graph theory ("GSD = complexity"). The discrete global symmetry is identified as the Jacobian group of the graph. In the gauge theory, superselection sectors of fractons are in one-to-one correspondence with the divisor classes in graph theory. In particular, under mild assumptions on the spatial graph, the fracton immobility is proven using a graph-theoretic Abel-Jacobi map.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2022

Fair allocation of a multiset of indivisible items

We study the problem of fairly allocating a multiset $M$ of $m$ indivisible items among $n$ agents with additive valuations. Specifically, we introduce a parameter $t$ for the number of distinct types of items and study fair allocations of multisets that contain only items of these $t$ types, under two standard notions of fairness: 1. Envy-freeness (EF): For arbitrary $n$, $t$, we show that a complete EF allocation exists when at least one agent has a unique valuation and the number of items of each type exceeds a particular finite threshold. We give explicit upper and lower bounds on this threshold in some special cases. 2. Envy-freeness up to any good (EFX): For arbitrary $n$, $m$, and for $t\le 2$, we show that a complete EFX allocation always exists. We give two different proofs of this result. One proof is constructive and runs in polynomial time; the other is geometrically inspired.

cs.GT↗
arXiv2022

Global Dipole Symmetry, Compact Lifshitz Theory, Tensor Gauge Theory, and Fractons

We study field theories with global dipole symmetries and gauge dipole symmetries. The famous Lifshitz theory is an example of a theory with a global dipole symmetry. We study in detail its 1+1d version with a compact field. When this global symmetry is promoted to a $U(1)$ dipole gauge symmetry, the corresponding gauge field is a tensor gauge field. This theory is known to lead to fractons. In order to resolve various subtleties in the precise meaning of these global or gauge symmetries, we place these 1+1d theories on a lattice and then take the continuum limit. Interestingly, the continuum limit is not unique. Different limits lead to different continuum theories, whose operators, defects, global symmetries, etc. are different. We also consider a lattice gauge theory with a $\mathbb Z_N$ dipole gauge group. Surprisingly, several physical observables, such as the ground state degeneracy and the mobility of defects depend sensitively on the number of sites in the lattice. Our analysis forces us to think carefully about global symmetries that do not act on the standard Hilbert space of the theory, but only on the Hilbert space in the presence of defects. We refer to them as time-like global symmetries and discuss them in detail. These time-like global symmetries allow us to phrase the mobility restrictions of defects (including those of fractons) as a consequence of a global symmetry.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2021

The low-energy limit of some exotic lattice theories and UV/IR mixing

We continue our exploration of exotic, gapless lattice and continuum field theories with subsystem global symmetries. In an earlier paper, we presented free lattice models enjoying all the global symmetries (except continuous translations), dualities, and anomalies of the continuum theories. Here, we study in detail the relation between the lattice models and the corresponding continuum theories. We do that by analyzing the spectrum of the theories and several correlation functions. These lead us to uncover interesting subtleties in the way the continuum limit can be taken. In particular, in some cases, the infinite volume limit and the continuum limit do not commute. This signals a surprising UV/IR mixing, i.e., long distance sensitivity to short distance details.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2021

Anomaly Inflow for Subsystem Symmetries

We study 't Hooft anomalies and the related anomaly inflow for subsystem global symmetries. These symmetries and anomalies arise in a number of exotic systems, including models with fracton order such as the X-cube model. As is the case for ordinary global symmetries, anomalies for subsystem symmetries can be canceled by anomaly inflow from a bulk theory in one higher dimension; the corresponding bulk is therefore a non-trivial subsystem symmetry protected topological (SSPT) phase. We demonstrate these phenomena in several examples with continuous and discrete subsystem global symmetries, as well as time-reversal symmetry. For each example we describe the boundary anomaly, and present classical continuum actions for the corresponding bulk SSPT phases, which describe the response of background gauge fields associated with the subsystem symmetries. Interestingly, we show that the anomaly does not uniquely specify the bulk SSPT phase. In general, the latter may also depend on how the symmetry and the associated foliation structure on the boundary are extended into the bulk.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2021

A Modified Villain Formulation of Fractons and Other Exotic Theories

We reformulate known exotic theories (including theories of fractons) on a Euclidean spacetime lattice. We write them using the Villain approach and then we modify them to a convenient range of parameters. The new lattice models are closer to the continuum limit than the original lattice versions. In particular, they exhibit many of the recently found properties of the continuum theories including emergent global symmetries and surprising dualities. Also, these new models provide a clear and rigorous formulation to the continuum models and their singularities. In appendices, we use this approach to review well-studied lattice models and their continuum limits. These include the XY-model, the $\mathbb{Z}_N$ clock-model, and various gauge theories in diverse dimensions. This presentation clarifies the relation between the condensed-matter and the high-energy views of these systems. It emphasizes the role of symmetries associated with the topology of field space, duality, and various anomalies.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2020

FCC, Checkerboards, Fractons, and QFT

We consider XY-spin degrees of freedom on an FCC lattice, such that the system respects some subsystem global symmetry. We then gauge this global symmetry and study the corresponding $U(1)$ gauge theory on the FCC lattice. Surprisingly, this $U(1)$ gauge theory is dual to the original spin system. We also analyze a similar $\mathbb{Z}_N$ gauge theory on that lattice. All these systems are fractonic. The $U(1)$ theories are gapless and the $\mathbb{Z}_N$ theories are gapped. We analyze the continuum limits of all these systems and present free continuum Lagrangians for their low-energy physics. Our $\mathbb{Z}_2$ FCC gauge theory is the continuum limit of the well known checkerboard model of fractons. Our continuum analysis leads to a straightforward proof of the known fact that this theory is dual to two copies of the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ X-cube model. We find new models and new relations between known models. The $\mathbb{Z}_N$ FCC gauge theory can be realized by coupling three copies of an anisotropic model of lineons and planons to a certain exotic $\mathbb{Z}_2$ gauge theory. Also, although for $N=2$ this model is dual to two copies of the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ X-cube model, a similar statement is not true for higher $N$.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2020

More Exotic Field Theories in 3+1 Dimensions

We continue the exploration of nonstandard continuum field theories related to fractons in 3+1 dimensions. Our theories exhibit exotic global and gauge symmetries, defects with restricted mobility, and interesting dualities. Depending on the model, the defects are the probe limits of either fractonic particles, strings, or strips. One of our models is the continuum limit of the plaquette Ising lattice model, which features an important role in the construction of the X-cube model.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2020

Interface Junctions in QCD${}_4$

We study 3+1 dimensional $SU(N)$ Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) with $N_f$ degenerate quarks that have a spatially varying complex mass. It leads to a network of interfaces connected by interface junctions. We use anomaly inflow to constrain these defects. Based on the chiral Lagrangian and the conjectures on the interfaces, characterized by a spatially varying $θ$-parameter, we propose a low-energy description of such networks of interfaces. Interestingly, we observe that the operators in the effective field theories on the junctions can carry baryon charges, and their spin and isospin representations coincide with baryons. We also study defects, characterized by spatially varying coupling constants, in 2+1 dimensional Chern-Simons-matter theories and in a 3+1 dimensional real scalar theory.

hep-th↗