Open Access Publications from the University of California

## Topological Phase Transitions

• Author(s): Tsui, Lokman
In the first part we consider spatial dimension $d$ and symmetry group $G$ so that the cohomology group, $H^{d+1}(G,U(1))$, contains at least one $Z_{2n}$ or $Z$ factor. We show that the phase transition between the trivial SPT and the root states that generate the $Z_{2n}$ or $Z$ groups can be induced on the boundary of a d+1 dimensional $G\times Z_2^T$-symmetric SPT by a $Z_2^T$ symmetry breaking field. Moreover we show these boundary phase transitions can be transplanted'' to d dimensions and realized in lattice models as a function of a tuning parameter. The price one pays is for the critical value of the tuning parameter there is an extra non-local (duality-like) symmetry. In the case where the phase transition is continuous, our theory predicts the presence of unusual (sometimes fractionalized) excitations corresponding to delocalized boundary excitations of the non-trivial SPT on one side of the transition. This theory also predicts other phase transition scenarios including first order transition and transition via an intermediate symmetry breaking phase.
In the second part, we study the phase transition between bosonic topological phases protected by $Z_n\times Z_n$ in 1+1 dimensions. We find a direct transition occurs when $n=2,3,4$ and in all cases the critical point possesses two gap opening relevant operators: one leads to a Landau-forbidden symmetry breaking phase transition and the other to the topological phase transition. We also obtained a constraint($c\geq1$) on the central charge for general phase transitions between symmetry protected bosonic topological phases in 1+1D.