Covariant field theory of 3D massive fractons
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arXiv
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2025
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| _version_ | 1866914115958603776 |
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| author | Bertolini, Erica Carrega, Matteo Maggiore, Nicola Shaikh, Daniel Sacco |
| author_facet | Bertolini, Erica Carrega, Matteo Maggiore, Nicola Shaikh, Daniel Sacco |
| contents | We construct a covariant and gauge-invariant theory describing massive fractons in three spacetime dimensions, based on a symmetric rank-2 tensor field. The model includes a Chern-Simons-like term that plays a dual role: it generates a topological mass for the tensor gauge field and simultaneously acts as a source of intrinsic fractonic matter. This dual mechanism is novel and leads to a propagating fractonic degree of freedom described by a massive Klein-Gordon equation. The theory propagates two degrees of freedom -- one massive, one massless -- whose number is preserved in the massless limit, in analogy with the Maxwell-Chern-Simons mechanism of Deser-Jackiw-Templeton. We analyze the resulting equations of motion and show that the intrinsic fractonic matter satisfies Gauss- and Ampère-like laws, with conserved dipole and trace of the quadrupole moment. Upon coupling to external matter, a second fractonic sector emerges, leading to a coexistence of intrinsic and extrinsic subsystems with different mobility and conservation properties. Our model provides a unified framework for describing massive fractons with internal structure, and offers a covariant setting for exploring their interactions and extensions. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_18574 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Covariant field theory of 3D massive fractons Bertolini, Erica Carrega, Matteo Maggiore, Nicola Shaikh, Daniel Sacco High Energy Physics - Theory Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics Strongly Correlated Electrons General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology We construct a covariant and gauge-invariant theory describing massive fractons in three spacetime dimensions, based on a symmetric rank-2 tensor field. The model includes a Chern-Simons-like term that plays a dual role: it generates a topological mass for the tensor gauge field and simultaneously acts as a source of intrinsic fractonic matter. This dual mechanism is novel and leads to a propagating fractonic degree of freedom described by a massive Klein-Gordon equation. The theory propagates two degrees of freedom -- one massive, one massless -- whose number is preserved in the massless limit, in analogy with the Maxwell-Chern-Simons mechanism of Deser-Jackiw-Templeton. We analyze the resulting equations of motion and show that the intrinsic fractonic matter satisfies Gauss- and Ampère-like laws, with conserved dipole and trace of the quadrupole moment. Upon coupling to external matter, a second fractonic sector emerges, leading to a coexistence of intrinsic and extrinsic subsystems with different mobility and conservation properties. Our model provides a unified framework for describing massive fractons with internal structure, and offers a covariant setting for exploring their interactions and extensions. |
| title | Covariant field theory of 3D massive fractons |
| topic | High Energy Physics - Theory Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics Strongly Correlated Electrons General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.18574 |