English

Unconventional criticality in $O(D)$-invariant loop-constrained Landau theory

Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics 2026-03-25 v3 High Energy Physics - 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, η0.239\eta\approx 0.239 in three dimensions, far exceeding the typical values in O(3)O(3)-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.

Keywords

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