Theory of twist liquids: Gauging an anyonic symmetry

Topological phases in (2+1)$(2+1)$-dimensions are frequently equipped with global symmetries, like conjugation, bilayer or electric–magnetic duality, that relabel anyons without affecting the topological structures. Twist defects are static point-like objects that permute the labels of orbiting anyons. Gauging these symmetries by quantizing defects into dynamical excitations leads to a wide class of more exotic topological phases referred as twist liquids  , which are generically non-Abelian. We formulate a general gauging framework, characterize the anyon structure of twist liquids and provide solvable lattice models that capture the gauging phase transitions. We explicitly demonstrate the gauging of the Z₂${\mathbb{Z}}_2$-symmetric toric code, SO(2N)₁$SO{\left(2N\right)}_1$ and SU(3)₁$SU{\left(3\right)}_1$ state as well as the S₃$S_3$-symmetric SO(8)₁$SO{\left(8\right)}_1$ state and a non-Abelian chiral state we call the “4-Potts” state.