Unconventional criticality in $O(D)$-invariant loop-constrained Landau theory
Abstract
We study an unconventional phase transition in ferroelectrics where the polarization field is constrained to be divergence-free, allowing only loop-like configurations. This local constraint fundamentally alters the critical behavior, driving the system beyond the Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson paradigm. A renormalization group analysis shows that the polarization acquires an unusually large anomalous dimension, in three dimensions, far exceeding the typical values in -invariant systems. We attribute this effect to a naturally induced gauge symmetry originating from the zero divergence constraint. Such gauge-field behavior is reminiscent of fractionalized phases, revealing a fundamental connection between constrained ferroelectrics and emergent gauge phenomena in correlated matter.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2510.13960,
title = {Unconventional criticality in $O(D)$-invariant loop-constrained Landau theory},
author = {Svitlana Kondovych and Asle Sudbø and Flavio S. Nogueira},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.13960},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
6 pages, 1 diagram