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Mean string field theory: Landau-Ginzburg theory for 1-form symmetries

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arxiv 2106.12610 v2 pith:6V4W7XUN submitted 2021-06-23 hep-th cond-mat.str-el

classification hep-thcond-mat.str-el
keywords theoryphasefieldstringsymmetriesbrokenlandau-ginzburgmean
verification ladder T0 review T1 audit T2 compute T3 formal
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By analogy with the Landau-Ginzburg theory of ordinary zero-form symmetries, we introduce and develop a Landau-Ginzburg theory of one-form global symmetries, which we call mean string field theory. The basic dynamical variable is a string field -- defined on the space of closed loops -- that can be used to describe the creation, annihilation, and condensation of effective strings. Like its zero-form cousin, the mean string field theory provides a useful picture of the phase diagram of broken and unbroken phases. We provide a transparent derivation of the area law for charged line operators in the unbroken phase and describe the dynamics of gapless Goldstone modes in the broken phase. The framework also provides a theory of topological defects of the broken phase and a description of the phase transition that should be valid above an upper critical dimension, which we discuss. We also discuss general consequences of emergent one-form symmetries at zero and finite temperature.

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Cited by 4 Pith papers

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  3. Generalized Symmetries Phase Transitions with Local Quantum Fields

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    The paper shows that local gauge theories in 3+1d and 2+1d can realize SPT, SET, and symmetry-breaking phase transitions for one-form symmetries, including phases distinguished by symmetry fractionalization.

  4. Landau theory for lattice higher gauge theory and Kramers-Wannier duality

    hep-th 2025-07 conditional novelty 5.0 of 10

    Lattice higher gauge theories are rewritten as Landau field theories on closed surfaces, yielding a unified phase description and an infrared duality between higher-form Landau theories.

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