We consider a quantum fully packed loop model on the square lattice with a frustration-free projector Hamiltonian and ring-exchange interactions acting on plaquettes. A boundary Hamiltonian is added to favor domain-wall boundary conditions and link ground state properties to the combinatorics and six-vertex model literature. We discuss how the boundary term fractures the Hilbert space into Krylov subspaces, and we prove that the Hamiltonian is ergodic within each subspace, leading to a series of energy-equidistant exact eigenstates in the lower end of the spectrum. Among them we systematically classify both finitely entangled eigenstates and product eigenstates. Using a recursion relation for enumerating half-plane configurations, we compute numerically the exact entanglement entropy of the ground state, confirming area law scaling. Finally, the spectrum is shown to be gapless in the thermodynamic limit with a trial state constructed by adding a twist to the ground state superposition.

We discuss the axion dark matter (DM) condensate and the consequences the interactions of dark matter would have on the spectrum of collective modes. We find that DM self-interactions change the spectrum of excitations from a quadratic to a linearlike dispersion with velocity v_s which is set by the interactions, but dominated by gravity. For typical DM densities and interactions we find v_s∼10⁻¹²c. This soundlike mode corresponds to DM density oscillations just like in any other Bose liquid, hence we call it dark sound (DS). The DS mode is well defined and describes stable density oscillations at intermediate length scales k≥k_min∼10⁴  lyr⁻¹. In the extreme long-wavelength limit gravity dominates and leads to Jeans instability of the sound mode at the scale of clump formation k≤k_min. We also discuss the possible observable consequences of the DS, including quantized DS modes inside clumps, their characteristic energy, and noise features that might facilitate the observation of DM.

Applying in-plane uniaxial pressure to strongly correlated low-dimensional systems has been shown to tune the electronic structure dramatically. For example, the unconventional superconductor Sr₂RuO₄ can be tuned through a single Van Hove point, resulting in strong enhancement of both T_c and H_c2. Out-of-plane (c axis) uniaxial pressure is expected to tune the quasi-two-dimensional structure even more strongly, by pushing it towards two Van Hove points simultaneously. Here, we achieve a record uniaxial stress of 3.2 GPa along the c axis of Sr₂RuO₄. H_c2 increases, as expected for increasing density of states, but unexpectedly T_c falls. As a first attempt to explain this result, we present three-dimensional calculations in the weak interaction limit. We find that within the weak-coupling framework there is no single order parameter that can account for the contrasting effects of in-plane versus c-axis uniaxial stress, which makes this new result a strong constraint on theories of the superconductivity of Sr₂RuO₄.

Multiferroics (MFs) are materials with two or more ferroic orders, like spontaneous ferroelectric and ferromagnetic polarizations. Such materials can exhibit a magnetoelectric effect whereby magnetic and ferroelectric polarizations couple linearly, reminiscent of, but not identical to the electromagnetic E . B axion coupling. Here we point out a possible mechanism in which an external dark matter axion field couples linearly to ferroic orders in these materials without external applied fields. We find the magnetic response to be linear in the axion-electron coupling. At temperatures close to the ferromagnetic transition fluctuations can lead to an enhancement of the axion-induced magnetic response. Relevant material candidates such as the Lu-Sc hexaferrite family are discussed.

The long-standing quest to determine the superconducting order of Sr2RuO4 (SRO) has received renewed attention after recent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) Knight shift experiments have cast doubt on the possibility of spin-triplet pairing in the superconducting state. As a putative solution, encompassing a body of experiments conducted over the years, a (d + ig)-wave order parameter caused by an accidental near degeneracy has been suggested [S. A. Kivelson et al., npj Quantum Mater. 5, 43 (2020)]. Here we develop a general Ginzburg-Landau theory for multiband superconductors. We apply the theory to SRO and predict the relative size of the order parameter components. The heat capacity jump expected at the onset of the second-order parameter component is found to be above the current threshold deduced by the experimental absence of a second jump. Our results tightly restrict theories of d + ig order, and other candidates caused by a near degeneracy, in SRO. We discuss possible solutions to the problem.