Gravity at a Kelvin: the generalized rigidity of superconducting quantum nematics

ORAL

Abstract

There is experimental evidence for the existence of zero temperature nematic quantum liquids. Resting on field theoretic dualities we demonstrate that its rigidity theory is closely related to linearized gravity. The difference is in the loss of Lorentz invariance and we show that the gravitons merge into a richer world of collective excitations such as rotational Goldstone modes deconfining at the crystal-nematic phase transition, yet to be detected experimentally.

Authors

  • Kai Wu

    Institute-Lorentz for Theoretical Physics, Leiden University

  • Aron Beekman

    RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science

  • Vladimir Cvetkovic

    National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Department of Physics, Florida State University

  • Jan Zaanen

    Institute-Lorentz for Theoretical Physics, Leiden University