Effective gauge theories of superfluidity with topological order

Abstract

We discuss the low-energy dynamics of superfluidity with topological order in (3 + 1) spacetime dimensions. We generalize a topological BF theory by introducing a non-square K matrix, and this generalized BF theory can describe massless Nambu-Goldstone bosons and anyonic statistics between vortices and quasiparticles. We discuss the general structure of discrete and continuous higher-form symmetries in this theory, which can be used to classify quantum phases. We describe how to identify the appearance of topological order in such systems and discuss its relation to a mixed ’t Hooft anomaly between discrete higher-form symmetries. We apply this framework to the color-flavor locked phase of dense QCD, which shows anyonic particle-vortex statistics while no topological order appears. An explicit example of superfluidity with topological order is discussed.