Measuring Modular Matrices by Shearing Lattices

A topologically ordered phase on a torus possesses degenerate ground states that transform nontrivially under the modular transformations of the torus, generated by Dehn twists. Representation of modular transformations on the ground states (modular matrices) characterizes the topological order. We show that the modular matrices can be numerically measured as the non-Abelian Berry phase of adiabatic deformations of the lattice model placed on a torus. We apply this method to the example of a gauged $p_x+i p_y$ superconductor, and show that the result is consistent with the topological quantum field theory descriptions.

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