In this talk, we consider classes of systems that are invariant under modulated symmetries: symmetry operators that act non-uniformly across space, together with their gauging. In one dimension, gauging these symmetries provides a concrete pathway to Kramers–Wannier-like dualities and offers insight into the properties of critical points. More interestingly, in two dimensions, gauging these symmetries provides a simple and systematic route to constructing symmetry-enriched topological phases (SETs), in which crystalline symmetries enrich the quantum numbers carried by topological anyons. Using local spin-lattice Hamiltonians as a concrete setting, we show that the resulting gauge theories exhibit modulated string-like symmetries together with mixed anomalies. Throughout the talk, we illustrate these ideas using a variety of simple toy models.
Laboratory for Theoretical and Computational Physics