Fracton topological order at finite temperature

As new kinds of stabilizer code models, fracton models have been promising in realizing quantum memory or quantum hard drives. However, it has been shown that the fracton topological order of 3D fracton models occurs only at zero temperature. In this Letter, we show that higher dimensional fracton models can support a fracton topological order below a nonzero critical temperature T-c. Focusing on a typical four-dimensional (4D) X-cube model, we show that there is a finite critical temperature T-c by analyzing its free energy from duality. We also obtained the expectation value of the 't Hooft loops in the 4D X-cube model, which directly shows a confinement-deconfinement phase transition at finite temperature. This finite-temperature phase transition can be understood as spontaneously breaking the Z(2) one-form subsystem symmetry. Moreover, we propose an alternative no-go theorem for finite-temperature quantum fracton topological order.

Automated summary

This Letter investigates the fracton topological order of higher dimensional fracton models at nonzero critical temperature T-c, and demonstrates the existence of a finite critical temperature T-c. By analyzing the free energy of a typical 4D X-cube model using duality, it is shown that a finite critical temperature T-c exists. The expectation value of the 't Hooft loops in the 4D X-cube model reveals a confinement-deconfinement phase transition at finite temperature. Additionally, an alternative no-go theorem for finite-temperature quantum fracton topological order is proposed.