Fractonic matter in symmetry-enriched U(1) gauge theory

In this work we explore the interplay between global symmetry and the mobility of quasiparticle excitations. We show that fractonic matter naturally appears in a three-dimensional U(1) gauge theory, enriched by global U(1) and translational symmetries, via the mechanism of anyonic spin-orbit coupling. We develop a systematic understanding of such symmetry-enforced mobility restrictions in terms of the classification of U(1) gauge theories enriched by U(1) and translational symmetries. We provide a unified construction of these phases by gauging layered symmetry-protected topological phases.