$mathbb{Z}_3$ quantum double in a superconducting wire array


Abstract in English

We show that a $mathbb{Z}_3$ quantum double can be realized in an array of superconducting wires coupled via Josephson junctions. With a suitably chosen magnetic flux threading the system, the inter-wire Josephson couplings take the form of a complex Hadamard matrix, which possesses combinatorial gauge symmetry -- a local $mathbb{Z}_3$ symmetry involving permutations and shifts by $pm 2pi/3$ of the superconducting phases. The sign of the star potential resulting from the Josephson energy is inverted in this physical realization, leading to a massive degeneracy in the non-zero flux sectors. A dimerization pattern encoded in the capacitances of the array lifts up these degeneracies, resulting in a $mathbb{Z}_3$ topologically ordered state. Moreover, this dimerization pattern leads to a larger effective vison gap as compared to the canonical case with the usual (uninverted) star term. We further show that our model maps to a quantum three-state Potts model under a duality transformation. We argue, using a combination of bosonization and mean field theory, that altering the dimerization pattern of the capacitances leads to a transition from the $mathbb{Z}_3$ topological phase into a quantum XY-ordered phase. Our work highlights that combinatorial gauge symmetry can serve as a design principle to build quantum double models using systems with realistic interactions.

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