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Autores principales: Bertolini, Erica, Kim, Hyungrok, Palumbo, Giandomenico
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2026
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Acceso en línea:https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.07661
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author Bertolini, Erica
Kim, Hyungrok
Palumbo, Giandomenico
author_facet Bertolini, Erica
Kim, Hyungrok
Palumbo, Giandomenico
contents We present a covariant field-theoretical framework for a rank-4 tensor gauge field theory describing fractonic string-like objects. We show that the most general quadratic, parity-preserving action naturally leads to a Maxwell-like sector, with tensorial analogues of electric and magnetic fields, Maxwell-like equations, a conserved energy-momentum tensor, and a Lorentz-like force. Remarkably, the theory gives rise to fracton-like string excitations purely from symmetry principles: constraints on the motion of these extended objects appear as Gauss-like laws, without being imposed by hand. One of these laws is new and corresponds to a generalised dipole conservation for closed strings, restricting their mobility and defining a novel class of fractonic string-like excitations. Finally, we uncover a connection to linearised area-metric gravity: in a suitable limit, the theory reduces to known covariant fracton models with rank-2 gauge fields, highlighting a deep link between fractonic matter and gravity-like structures. This provides a unified perspective on higher-rank gauge fields, extended excitations, and emergent gravitational features.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_07661
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Emergent fracton strings from covariant bi-form gauge field theory
Bertolini, Erica
Kim, Hyungrok
Palumbo, Giandomenico
High Energy Physics - Theory
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
We present a covariant field-theoretical framework for a rank-4 tensor gauge field theory describing fractonic string-like objects. We show that the most general quadratic, parity-preserving action naturally leads to a Maxwell-like sector, with tensorial analogues of electric and magnetic fields, Maxwell-like equations, a conserved energy-momentum tensor, and a Lorentz-like force. Remarkably, the theory gives rise to fracton-like string excitations purely from symmetry principles: constraints on the motion of these extended objects appear as Gauss-like laws, without being imposed by hand. One of these laws is new and corresponds to a generalised dipole conservation for closed strings, restricting their mobility and defining a novel class of fractonic string-like excitations. Finally, we uncover a connection to linearised area-metric gravity: in a suitable limit, the theory reduces to known covariant fracton models with rank-2 gauge fields, highlighting a deep link between fractonic matter and gravity-like structures. This provides a unified perspective on higher-rank gauge fields, extended excitations, and emergent gravitational features.
title Emergent fracton strings from covariant bi-form gauge field theory
topic High Energy Physics - Theory
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.07661