Session 1B: Inaugural Lectures by Fellows / Associates

Fractonic phases of matter

Abstract After a brief review of the key open problem of classification of phases in condensed matter physics, the recently discovered fractonic phases of matter will be introduced and discussed. These phases are characterized by the presence of excitations that have restricted ("fractional") mobility. A higher rank gauge theoretic framework will be outlined for a phenomenological description of such phases.  The talk will illustrate how fractonic physics can provide new perspectives on a wide range of problems from day-to-day phenomena like paper folding to the development of new platforms for quantum memories.