Homotopy classification conjecture for spaces of two-dimensional gapped Hamiltonians

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Let S\mathcal{S} be a connected component of the space of two-dimensional gapped Hamiltonians realizing a fixed topological order. Let invertible states be identified under equivalence by quantum circuits and stabilization by trivial states, with tensor product as the group operation. Let an abelian anyon and a modification mean, respectively, an abelian anyon of the topological order and a modification in that theory. Homotopy classification conjecture. The fundamental group of S\mathcal{S} is isomorphic to the product of the group of invertible states and the group of automorphisms of the topological order. Maps from S2S^2 to S\mathcal{S} with a chosen basepoint are classified by a pair consisting of an invertible state in zero dimensions and an abelian anyon. Maps from S3S^3 to S\mathcal{S} with a chosen basepoint are classified by a modification. All higher homotopy groups are trivial modulo invertible states.

This conjecture proposes a broad homotopy-theoretic description of the space of gapped Hamiltonians, extending the relation between paths, invertible states, domain walls, and topological-order automorphisms. The source says it is supported by specific cases and general arguments, but gives no complete resolution.

References

Primary source

David Aasen, Zhenghan Wang and Matthew B. Hastings, “Adiabatic paths of Hamiltonians, symmetries of topological order, and automorphism codes”, arXiv:2203.11137 (2022).

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