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Zhenghan Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Zhenghan Wang.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2018

On Generalized Symmetries and Structure of Modular Categories

Pursuing a generalization of group symmetries of modular categories to category symmetries in topological phases of matter, we study linear Hopf monads. The main goal is a generalization of extension and gauging group symmetries to category symmetries of modular categories, which include also categorical Hopf algebras as special cases. As an application, we propose an analogue of the classification of finite simple groups to modular categories, where we define simple modular categories as the prime ones without any nontrivial normal algebras.

math.QA↗
arXiv2018

Conformal Field Theories as Scaling Limit of Anyonic Chains

We provide a mathematical definition of a low energy scaling limit of a sequence of general non-relativistic quantum theories in any dimension, and apply our formalism to anyonic chains. We formulate Conjecture 4.3 on conditions when a chiral unitary rational (1+1)-conformal field theory would arise as such a limit and verify the conjecture for the Ising minimal model $M(4,3)$ using Ising anyonic chains. Part of the conjecture is a precise relation between Temperley-Lieb generators $\{e_i\}$ and some finite stage operators of the Virasoro generators $\{L_m+L_{-m}\}$ and $\{i(L_m-L_{-m})\}$ for unitary minimal models $M(k+2,k+1)$ in Conjecture 5.5. A similar earlier relation is known as the Koo-Saleur formula in the physics literature [39]. Assuming Conjecture 4.3, most of our main results for the Ising minimal model $M(4,3)$ hold for unitary minimal models $M(k+2,k+1), k\geq 3$ as well. Our approach is inspired by an eventual application to an efficient simulation of conformal field theories by quantum computers, and supported by extensive numerical simulation and physical proofs in the physics literature.

math-ph↗
arXiv2018

On invariants of Modular categories beyond modular data

We study novel invariants of modular categories that are beyond the modular data, with an eye towards a simple set of complete invariants for modular categories. Our focus is on the $W$-matrix--the quantum invariant of a colored framed Whitehead link from the associated TQFT of a modular category. We prove that the $W$-matrix and the set of punctured $S$-matrices are strictly beyond the modular data $(S,T)$. Whether or not the triple $(S,T,W)$ constitutes a complete invariant of modular categories remains an open question.

math.QA↗
arXiv2018

Hamiltonian and Algebraic Theories of Gapped Boundaries in Topological Phases of Matter

We present an exactly solvable lattice Hamiltonian to realize gapped boundaries of Kitaev's quantum double models for Dijkgraaf-Witten theories. We classify the elementary excitations on the boundary, and systematically describe the bulk-to-boundary condensation procedure. We also present the parallel algebraic/categorical structure of gapped boundaries.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2018

Volume and Topological Invariants of Quantum Many-body Systems

A gapped many-body system is described by path integral on a space-time lattice $C^{d+1}$, which gives rise to a partition function $Z(C^{d+1})$ if $\partial C^{d+1} =\emptyset$, and gives rise to a vector $|Ψ\rangle$ on the boundary of space-time if $\partial C^{d+1} \neq\emptyset$. We show that $V = \text{log} \sqrt{\langleΨ|Ψ\rangle}$ satisfies the inclusion-exclusion property $\frac{V(A\cup B)+V(A\cap B)}{V(A)+V(B)}=1$ and behaves like a volume of the space-time lattice $C^{d+1}$ in large lattice limit (i.e. thermodynamics limit). This leads to a proposal that the vector $|Ψ\rangle$ is the quantum-volume of the space-time lattice $C^{d+1}$. The inclusion-exclusion property does not apply to quantum-volume since it is a vector. But quantum-volume satisfies a quantum additive property. The violation of the inclusion-exclusion property by $V = \text{log} \sqrt{\langleΨ|Ψ\rangle}$ in the subleading term of thermodynamics limit gives rise to topological invariants that characterize the topological order in the system. This is a systematic way to construct and compute topological invariants from a generic path integral. For example, we show how to use non-universal partition functions $Z(C^{2+1})$ on several related space-time lattices $C^{2+1}$ to extract $(M_f)_{11}$ and $\text{Tr}(M_f)$, where $M_f$ is a representation of the modular group $SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ -- a topological invariant that almost fully characterizes the 2+1D topological orders.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2018

Comparing Skein and Quantum Group Representations and Their Application to Asymptotic Faithfulness

We generalize the asymptotic faithfulness of the skein quantum $SU(2)$ representations of mapping class groups of orientable closed surfaces to skein $SU(3)$. Skein quantum representations of mapping class groups are different from the Reshetikin-Turaev ones from quantum groups or geometric quantization because they are given by different modular tensor categories. We conjecture asymptotic faithfulness holds for skein quantum $G$ representations when $G$ is a simply-connected simple Lie group. The difficulty for such a generalization lies in the lack of an explicit description of the fusion spaces with multiplicities to define an appropriate complexity of state vectors.

math.QA↗
arXiv2018

Acyclic anyon models, thermal anyon error corrections, and braiding universality

Acyclic anyon models are non-abelian anyon models for which thermal anyon errors can be corrected. In this note, we characterize acyclic anyon models and raise the question if the restriction to acyclic anyon models is a deficiency of the current protocol or could it be intrinsically related to the computational power of non-abelian anyons. We also obtain general results on acyclic anyon models and find new acyclic anyon models such as $SO(8)_2$ and untwisted Dijkgraaf-Witten theories of nilpotent finite groups.

math.QA↗
arXiv2017

Mathematics of Topological Quantum Computing

In topological quantum computing, information is encoded in "knotted" quantum states of topological phases of matter, thus being locked into topology to prevent decay. Topological precision has been confirmed in quantum Hall liquids by experiments to an accuracy of $10^{-10}$, and harnessed to stabilize quantum memory. In this survey, we discuss the conceptual development of this interdisciplinary field at the juncture of mathematics, physics and computer science. Our focus is on computing and physical motivations, basic mathematical notions and results, open problems and future directions related to and/or inspired by topological quantum computing.

math.QA↗
arXiv2017

Pattern of Zeros

In this paper, we provide a set of definitions upon which one can prove in a rigorous way most of the main results achieved in the pattern of zeros classification of fractional quantum Hall states.

math-ph↗
arXiv2017

Universal Quantum Computation with Gapped Boundaries

This Letter discusses topological quantum computation with gapped boundaries of two-dimensional topological phases. Systematic methods are presented to encode quantum information topologically using gapped boundaries, and to perform topologically protected operations on this encoding. In particular, we introduce a new and general computational primitive of topological charge measurement and present a symmetry-protected implementation of this primitive. Throughout the Letter, a concrete physical example, the $\mathbb{Z}_3$ toric code ($\mathfrak{D}(\mathbb{Z}_3)$), is discussed. For this example, we have a qutrit encoding and an abstract universal gate set. Physically, gapped boundaries of $\mathfrak{D}(\mathbb{Z}_3)$ can be realized in bilayer fractional quantum Hall $1/3$ systems. If a practical implementation is found for the required topological charge measurement, these boundaries will give rise to a direct physical realization of a universal quantum computer based on a purely abelian topological phase.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2017

On Defects Between Gapped Boundaries in Two-Dimensional Topological Phases of Matter

Defects between gapped boundaries provide a possible physical realization of projective non-abelian braid statistics. A notable example is the projective Majorana/parafermion braid statistics of boundary defects in fractional quantum Hall/topological insulator and superconductor heterostructures. In this paper, we develop general theories to analyze the topological properties and projective braiding of boundary defects of topological phases of matter in two spatial dimensions. We present commuting Hamiltonians to realize defects between gapped boundaries in any $(2+1)D$ untwisted Dijkgraaf-Witten theory, and use these to describe their topological properties such as their quantum dimension. By modeling the algebraic structure of boundary defects through multi-fusion categories, we establish a bulk-edge correspondence between certain boundary defects and symmetry defects in the bulk. Even though it is not clear how to physically braid the defects, this correspondence elucidates the projective braid statistics for many classes of boundary defects, both amongst themselves and with bulk anyons. Specifically, three such classes of importance to condensed matter physics/topological quantum computation are studied in detail: (1) A boundary defect version of Majorana and parafermion zero modes, (2) a similar version of genons in bilayer theories, and (3) boundary defects in $\mathfrak{D}(S_3)$.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2017

Beyond Anyons

The theory of anyon systems, as modular functors topologically and unitary modular tensor categories algebraically, is mature. To go beyond anyons, our first step is the interplay of anyons with conventional group symmetry due to the paramount importance of group symmetry in physics. This led to the theory of symmetry-enriched topological order. Another direction is the boundary physics of topological phases, both gapless as in the fractional quantum Hall physics and gapped as in toric code. A more speculative and interesting direction is the study of Banados-Teitelboim-Zanelli black holes and quantum gravity in $3d$. The clearly defined physical and mathematical issues require a far-reaching generalization of anyons and seem to be within reach. In this short survey, I will first cover the extensions of anyon theory to symmetry defects and gapped boundaries. Then I will discuss a desired generalization of anyons to anyon-like objects---the Banados-Teitelboim-Zanelli black holes---in $3d$ quantum gravity.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2017

Braid Group Representations from Braiding Gapped Boundaries of Dijkgraaf-Witten Theories

We study representations of the braid groups from braiding gapped boundaries of Dijkgraaf-Witten theories and their twisted generalizations, which are (twisted) quantum doubled topological orders in two spatial dimensions. We show that the resulting braid (pure braid) representations are all monomial with respect to some specific bases, hence all such representation images of the braid groups are finite groups. We give explicit formulas for the monomial matrices and the ground state degeneracy of the Kitaev models that are Hamiltonian realizations of Dijkgraaf-Witten theories. Our results imply that braiding gapped boundaries alone cannot provide universal gate sets for topological quantum computing with gapped boundaries.

math.QA↗
arXiv2017

Classification of super-modular categories by rank

We pursue a classification of low-rank super-modular categories parallel to that of modular categories. We classify all super-modular categories up to rank=$6$, and spin modular categories up to rank=$11$. In particular, we show that, up to fusion rules, there is exactly one non-split super-modular category of rank $2,4$ and $6$, namely $PSU(2)_{4k+2}$ for $k=0,1$ and $2$. This classification is facilitated by adapting and extending well-known constraints from modular categories to super-modular categories, such as Verlinde and Frobenius-Schur indicator formulae.

math.QA↗
arXiv2017

Congruence Subgroups and Super-Modular Categories

A super-modular category is a unitary pre-modular category with Müger center equivalent to the symmetric unitary category of super-vector spaces. Super-modular categories are important alternatives to modular categories as any unitary pre-modular category is the equivariantization of a either a modular or super-modular category. Physically, super-modular categories describe universal properties of quasiparticles in fermionic topological phases of matter. In general one does not have a representation of the modular group $\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z})$ associated to a super-modular category, but it is possible to obtain a representation of the (index 3) $θ$-subgroup: $Γ_θ<\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z})$. We study the image of this representation and conjecture a super-modular analogue of the Ng-Schauenburg Congruence Subgroup Theorem for modular categories, namely that the kernel of the $Γ_θ$ representation is a congruence subgroup. We prove this conjecture for any super-modular category that is a subcategory of modular category of twice its dimension, i.e. admitting a minimal modular extension. Conjecturally, every super-modular category admits (precisely 16) minimal modular extensions and, therefore, our conjecture would be a consequence.

math.QA↗
arXiv2017

On classification of extremal non-holomorphic conformal field theories

Rational chiral conformal field theories are organized according to their genus, which consists of a modular tensor category $\mathcal{C}$ and a central charge $c$. A long-term goal is to classify unitary rational conformal field theories based on a classification of unitary modular tensor categories. We conjecture that for any unitary modular tensor category $\mathcal{C}$, there exists a unitary chiral conformal field theory $V$ so that its modular tensor category $\mathcal{C}_V$ is $\mathcal{C}$. In this paper, we initiate a mathematical program in and around this conjecture. We define a class of extremal vertex operator algebras with minimal conformal dimensions as large as possible for their central charge, and non-trivial representation theory. We show that there are finitely many different characters of extremal vertex operator algebras V possessing at most three different irreducible modules. Moreover, we list all of the possible characters for such vertex operator algebras with $c$ at most 48.

math-ph↗
arXiv2017

State Sum Invariants of Three Manifolds from Spherical Multi-fusion Categories

We define a family of quantum invariants of closed oriented $3$-manifolds using spherical multi-fusion categories. The state sum nature of this invariant leads directly to $(2+1)$-dimensional topological quantum field theories ($\text{TQFT}$s), which generalize the Turaev-Viro-Barrett-Westbury ($\text{TVBW}$) $\text{TQFT}$s from spherical fusion categories. The invariant is given as a state sum over labeled triangulations, which is mostly parallel to, but richer than the $\text{TVBW}$ approach in that here the labels live not only on $1$-simplices but also on $0$-simplices. It is shown that a multi-fusion category in general cannot be a spherical fusion category in the usual sense. Thus we introduce the concept of a spherical multi-fusion category by imposing a weakened version of sphericity. Besides containing the $\text{TVBW}$ theory, our construction also includes the recent higher gauge theory $(2+1)$-$\text{TQFT}$s given by Kapustin and Thorngren, which was not known to have a categorical origin before.

math.QA↗