Gauging the Kitaev chain

We gauge the fermion parity symmetry of Kitaev chain. While bulk model becomes an Ising chain gauge-invariant spins in a tilted field, near boundaries global survives gauging, leading to local Majorana operators. In absence vortices, Higgs phase exhibits fermionic symmetry-protected topological (SPT) order distinct from Moreover, deconfined can be stable even presence vortices. also undertake comprehensive study gently gauged which interpolates between ordinary and chains. This showcases rich quantum criticality illuminates nature phase. Even superconducting terms, gauging leads SPT is intrinsically gapless due emergent anomaly.