{
  "abstract": "We propose a family of layered quantum spin-orbital models as a platform to study fractionalization, unconventional forms of symmetry-breaking order, and their possible coexistence. The models are built by stacking $N$ layers of a square-lattice system in which Kitaev-type interactions promote the formation of a $\\mathbb{Z}_2$ quantum spin-orbital liquid and coupling the different layers via Ising spin interactions. Using a parton construction, we show how, at low energies, these Hamiltonians can be mapped to $N$-component Fermi Hubbard models on a $π$-flux square lattice at half filling. We also demonstrate that the models acquire an emergent SU($N$) symmetry in the limit of equal all-to-all interlayer couplings and argue that, for $N>2$, the proximity to this limit offers the potential to realize an array of competing phases. To illustrate this point, we compute the zero-temperature phase diagram of the effective $N=3$ Hubbard model within mean-field theory and uncover rich phenomena, including intertwined orders and flavor-selective localization. Mapping back to the original degrees of freedom reveals that the ground states realize distinct forms of magnetic fragmentation, wherein the orbitals remain in a quantum liquid state whereas the spins can present conventional long-range order or nonlocal order characterized by a nontrivial string order parameters. We highlight possible extensions of our construction as well as its potential to provide concrete microscopic models for different fractionalized quantum critical points.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": "Journal reference: Phys. Rev. B 114, 115106 (2026)",
  "arxiv": "2605.22908",
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Pedro M. Cônsoli"
    },
    {
      "name": "Aayush Vijayvargia"
    },
    {
      "name": "Onur Erten"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b9draeb0w4jpj.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2605.22908",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "b9draeb0w4jpj",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.22908",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "cond-mat.str-el"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2605.22908",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-08-27",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b9draeb0w4jpj.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:22Z",
      "native_id": "2605.22908",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.22908"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:cond-mat.str-el",
      "subfield": "condensed-matter"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Fractionalization, emergent SU($N$) symmetries, and fragmentation in layered quantum spin-orbital models",
  "title_text": "Fractionalization, emergent SU(N) symmetries, and fragmentation in layered quantum spin-orbital models",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:22Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/b9draeb0w4jpj",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": [
    {
      "doi": "10.1103/3xmh-cb7b",
      "pid": null,
      "relation": "published-as",
      "title": null,
      "venue": null
    }
  ]
}