Covariant Fracton Electrodynamics in Six Dimensions

We formulate a covariant version of Maxwell-like fracton electrodynamics in six dimensions using a symmetric tensor gauge field with scalar gauge symmetry δAμν=∂μ∂νΛ. This provides a relativistic setting in which the characteristic fractonic restriction on mobility follows directly from gauge invariance and the allowed coupling to matter. We construct the stress–energy tensor and show that its trace has a universal dimension-dependent structure that becomes a total derivative in d=6. In the presence of sources, the theory enforces conservation of charge and dipole moment, capturing the immobility of isolated charges and the mobility of dipolar bound states. This structure can also be viewed as a higher-moment form of generalized global symmetry.

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Publication Details

Journal
Symmetry
Published
2026-04-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18040669
Primary Topic
Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Covariant Fracton Electrodynamics in Six Dimensions

Nicola Maggiore
Symmetry
Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics
article

Covariant Fracton Electrodynamics in Six Dimensions

Nicola Maggiore
article en

Abstract

We formulate a covariant version of Maxwell-like fracton electrodynamics in six dimensions using a symmetric tensor gauge field with scalar gauge symmetry δAμν=∂μ∂νΛ. This provides a relativistic setting in which the characteristic fractonic restriction on mobility follows directly from gauge invariance and the allowed coupling to matter. We construct the stress–energy tensor and show that its trace has a universal dimension-dependent structure that becomes a total derivative in d=6. In the presence of sources, the theory enforces conservation of charge and dipole moment, capturing the immobility of isolated charges and the mobility of dipolar bound states. This structure can also be viewed as a higher-moment form of generalized global symmetry.

SymmetryVol. 18(4)
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Genova (IT), University of Genoa (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics
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