Higher-form Gauge Symmetries in Multipole Topological Phases

Understand

In this article we study field-theoretical aspects of multipolar topological insulators.

• Previous research has shown that such systems naturally couple to higher-rank tensor gauge fields that arise as a result of gauging dipole or subsystem $U(1)$ symmetries.
• Here we propose a complementary framework using electric higher-form symmetries.
• We utilize the fact that gauging 1-form electric symmetries results in a 2-form gauge field which couples naturally to extended line-like objects: Wilson lines.