Quasi-continuous symmetries of non-lie type

We introduce a smooth mapping of some discrete space-time symmetries into quasi-continuous ones. Such transformations are related with q-deformations of the dilations of the Euclidean space and with the noncommutative space. We work out two examples of Hamiltonian invariance under such symmetries. The Schrödinger equation for a free particle is investigated in such a noncommutative plane and a connection with anyonic statistics is found.     

Interacting anyons in topological quantum liquids: the golden chain

We discuss generalizations of quantum spin Hamiltonians using anyonic degrees of freedom. The simplest model for interacting anyons energetically favors neighboring anyons to fuse into the trivial ("identity") channel, similar to the quantum Heisenberg model favoring neighboring spins to form spin singlets. Numerical simulations of a chain of Fibonacci anyons show that the model is critical with a dynamical critical exponent z=1, and described by a two-dimensional (2D) conformal field theory with central charge c=7/10. An exact mapping of the anyonic chain onto the 2D tricritical Ising model is given using the restricted-solid-on-solid representation of the Temperley-Lieb algebra. The gaplessness of the chain is shown to have topological origin.     

The wavefunction of an anyon

We consider a two-dimensional spin system in a honeycomb lattice configuration that exhibits anyonic and fermionic excitations [Kitaev, cond-mat/0506438]. The exact spectrum that corresponds to the translationally invariant case of a vortex-lattice is derived from which the energy of a single pair of vortices can be estimated. The anyonic properties of the vortices are demonstrated and their generation and transportation manipulations are explicitly given. A simple interference experiment with six spins is proposed that can reveal the anyonic statistics of this model.     

Quantum Symmetries in the Maxwell–Chern–Simons Theory Coupled to Scalar Fields

The Maxwell-Chern-Simons gauge theory coupled to a complex scalar field is quantized in the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) path integral formalism. On the basis of the symmetries of a constrained canonical (Hamiltonian) system, we get the quantal conserved angular momentum of the system under the global symmetry transformation. It is shown that fractional spin also appears at the quantum level. The canonical Ward identities for this system are derived under local gauge transformation.     

Controlling spin exchange interactions of ultracold atoms in optical lattices

We describe a general technique that allows one to induce and control strong interaction between spin states of neighboring atoms in an optical lattice. We show that the properties of spin exchange interactions, such as magnitude, sign, and anisotropy, can be designed by adjusting the optical potentials. We illustrate how this technique can be used to efficiently "engineer" quantum spin systems with desired properties, for specific examples ranging from scalable quantum computation to probing a model with complex topological order that supports exotic anyonic excitations.     

The symmetries in the Maxwell－Chern－Simons theory coupled to matter fields

The Maxwell－Chern－Simons gauge theory coupled to a complex scalar field is quantized in the Becchi－Rouet－Stora－Tyutin path integral formalism. Based on the symmetries of a constrained canonical (Hamiltonian) system, we obtain the quantal conserved angular momentum of the system under the global symmetry transformation. It is shown that fractional spin also appears at the quantum level. The canonical Ward identities for this system are derived under local gauge transformation.     

Dynamical role of anyonic excitation statistics in rapidly rotating bose gases

We show that for rotating harmonically trapped Bose gases in a fractional quantum Hall state, the anyonic excitation statistics in the rotating gas can effectively play a dynamical role. For particular values of the two-dimensional coupling constant g=-2pih2(2k-1)/m, where k is a positive integer, the system becomes a noninteracting gas of anyons, with exactly obtainable solutions satisfying Bogomol'nyi self-dual order parameter equations. Attractive Bose gases under rapid rotation thus can be stabilized in the thermodynamic limit due to the anyonic statistics of their quasiparticle excitations.     

Engineering complex topological memories from simple Abelian models

In three spatial dimensions, particles are limited to either bosonic or fermionic statistics. Two-dimensional systems, on the other hand, can support anyonic quasiparticles exhibiting richer statistical behaviors. An exciting proposal for quantum computation is to employ anyonic statistics to manipulate information. Since such statistical evolutions depend only on topological characteristics, the resulting computation is intrinsically resilient to errors. The so-called non-Abelian anyons are most promising for quantum computation, but their physical realization may prove to be complex. Abelian anyons, however, are easier to understand theoretically and realize experimentally. Here we show that complex topological memories inspired by non-Abelian anyons can be engineered in Abelian models. We explicitly demonstrate the control procedures for the encoding and manipulation of quantum information in specific lattice models that can be implemented in the laboratory. This bridges the gap between requirements for anyonic quantum computation and the potential of state-of-the-art technology.     

PEPS as ground states: Degeneracy and topology

We introduce a framework for characterizing Matrix Product States (MPS) and Projected Entangled Pair States (PEPS) in terms of symmetries. This allows us to understand how PEPS appear as ground states of local Hamiltonians with finitely degenerate ground states and to characterize the ground state subspace. Subsequently, we apply our framework to show how the topological properties of these ground states can be explained solely from the symmetry: We prove that ground states are locally indistinguishable and can be transformed into each other by acting on a restricted region, we explain the origin of the topological entropy, and we discuss how to renormalize these states based on their symmetries. Finally, we show how the anyonic character of excitations can be understood as a consequence of the underlying symmetries.     

Stochastic path integral formulation of full counting statistics

We derive a stochastic path integral representation of counting statistics in semiclassical systems. The formalism is introduced on the simple case of a single chaotic cavity with two quantum point contacts, and then further generalized to find the propagator for charge distributions with an arbitrary number of counting fields and generalized charges. The counting statistics is given by the saddle-point approximation to the path integral, and fluctuations around the saddle point are suppressed in the semiclassical approximation. We use this approach to derive the current cumulants of a chaotic cavity in the hot-electron regime.     

Observables in 3d spinfoam quantum gravity with fermions

We study expectation values of observables in three-dimensional spinfoam quantum gravity coupled to Dirac fermions. We revisit the model introduced by one of the authors and extend it to the case of massless fermionic fields. We introduce observables, analyse their symmetries and the corresponding proper gauge fixing. The Berezin integral over the fermionic fields is performed and the fermionic observables are expanded in open paths and closed loops associated to pure quantum gravity observables. We obtain the vertex amplitudes for gauge-invariant observables, while the expectation values of gauge-variant observables, such as the fermion propagator, are given by the evaluation of particular spin networks.     

Implementation of single-qubit and CNOT gates by anyonic excitations of two-body topological color code

The anyonic excitations of topological two-body color code model are used to implement a set of gates. Because of two-body interactions, the model can be simulated in optical lattices. The excitations have nontrivial mutual statistics, and are coupled to nontrivial gauge fields. The underlying lattice structure provides various opportunities for encoding the states of a logical qubit in anyonic states. The interactions make the transition between different anyonic states, so being logical operation in the computational bases of the encoded qubit. Two-qubit gates can be performed in a topological way using the braiding of anyons around each other.     

Invariant spin coherent states and the theory of the quantum antiferromagnet in a paramagnetic phase

A consistent theory of the Heisenberg quantum antiferromagnet in the disordered phase with short-range antiferromagnetic order was developed on the basis of the path integral for the spin coherent states. We presented the Lagrangian of the theory in the form that is explicitly invariant under rotations and found natural variables in terms of which one can construct a perturbation theory. The short-wavelength spin fluctuations are similar to the ones in spin-wave theory, and the long-wavelength spin fluctuations are governed by the nonlinear sigma model. We also demonstrated that the short-wavelength spin fluctuations should be considered accurately in the framework of the discrete version in time of the path integral. In the framework of our approach, we obtained the response function for the spin fluctuations for the whole region of the frequency ω and the wave vector k and calculated the free energy of the system.     

e/3 Laughlin quasiparticle primary-filling nu=1/3 interferometer

We report experimental realization of a quasiparticle interferometer where the entire system is in 1/3 primary fractional quantum Hall state. The interferometer consists of chiral edge channels coupled by quantum-coherent tunneling in two constrictions, thus enclosing an Aharonov-Bohm area. We observe magnetic flux and charge periods h/e and e/3, equivalent to the creation of one quasielectron in the island. Quantum theory predicts a 3h/e flux period for charge e/3, integer statistics particles. Thus, the observed periods demonstrate the anyonic braiding statistics of Laughlin quasiparticles.     

Linear bosonic quantum field theories arising from causal variational principles

We describe discrete symmetries of two-dimensional Yang–Mills theory with gauge group G associated with outer automorphisms of G, and their corresponding defects. We show that the gauge theory partition function with defects can be computed as a path integral over the space of twisted G-bundles and calculate it exactly. We argue that its weak-coupling limit computes the symplectic volume of the moduli space of flat twisted G-bundles on a surface. Using the defect network approach to generalised orbifolds, we gauge the discrete symmetry and construct the corresponding orbifold theory, which is again two-dimensional Yang–Mills theory but with gauge group given by an extension of G by outer automorphisms. With the help of the orbifold completion of the topological defect bicategory of two-dimensional Yang–Mills theory, we describe the reverse orbifold using a Wilson line defect for the discrete gauge symmetry. We present our results using two complementary approaches: in the lattice regularisation of the path integral, and in the functorial approach to area-dependent quantum field theories with defects via regularised Frobenius algebras.

     

Reduced Order Podolsky Model

We perform the canonical and path integral quantizations of a lower-order derivatives model describing Podolsky’s generalized electrodynamics. The physical content of the model shows an auxiliary massive vector field coupled to the usual electromagnetic field. The equivalence with Podolsky’s original model is studied at classical and quantum levels. Concerning the dynamical time evolution, we obtain a theory with two first-class and two second-class constraints in phase space. We calculate explicitly the corresponding Dirac brackets involving both vector fields. We use the Senjanovic procedure to implement the second-class constraints and the Batalin-Fradkin-Vilkovisky path integral quantization scheme to deal with the symmetries generated by the first-class constraints. The physical interpretation of the results turns out to be simpler due to the reduced derivatives order permeating the equations of motion, Dirac brackets and effective action.