Andrea Velenich

On the Brownian gas: a field theory with a Poissonian ground state

As a first step toward a successful field theory of Brownian particles in interaction, we study exactly the non-interacting case, its combinatorics and nonlinear time-reversal symmetry. Even though the particles do not interact, the field theory contains an interaction term: the vertex is the hallmark of the original particle nature of the gas and it enforces the constraint of a strictly positive density field, as opposed to a Gaussian free field. We compute exactly all the n-point density correlation functions, determine non-perturbatively the Poissonian nature of the ground state and emphasize the futility of any coarse-graining assumption for the derivation of the field theory. We finally verify explicitly, on the n-point functions, the fluctuation–dissipation theorem implied by the time-reversal symmetry of the action.

Spanning trees for the geometry and dynamics of compact polymers

Using a mapping of compact polymers on the Manhattan lattice to spanning trees, we calculate exactly the average number of bends at infinite temperature. We then find, in a high temperature approximation, the energy of the system as a function of bending rigidity and polymer elasticity. We identify the universal mechanism for the relaxation of compact polymers and then endow the model with physically motivated dynamics in the convenient framework of the trees. We find aging and domain coarsening after quenches in temperature. We explain the slow dynamics in terms of the geometrical interconnections between the energy and the dynamics.

String-nets, single- and double-stranded quantum loop gases for non-Abelian anyons

String-nets and quantum loop gases are two prominent microscopic lattice models to describe topological phases. String-net condensation can give rise to both Abelian and non-Abelian anyons, whereas loop condensation usually produces Abelian anyons. It has been proposed, however, that generalized quantum loop gases with non-orthogonal inner products could support non-Abelian anyons. We detail an exact mapping between the string-net and these generalized loop models and explain how the non-orthogonal products arise. We also introduce an equivalent loop model of double-stranded nets where quantum loops with an orthogonal inner product and local interactions supports non-Abelian Fibonacci anyons. Finally, we emphasize the origin of the sign problem in systems with non-Abelian excitations and its consequences on the complexity of their ground state wavefunctions.