Rank-2 U(1) Spin Liquid on the Breathing Pyrochlore Lattice

Higher-rank generalizations of electrodynamics have recently attracted considerable attention because of their ability to host "fracton" excitations, with connections to both fracton topological order and gravity. However, the search for higher-rank gauge theories in experiment has been greatly hindered by the lack of materially relevant microscopic models. Here we show how a spin liquid described by rank-2 U(1) gauge theory can arise in a magnet on the breathing pyrochlore lattice. We identify Yb-based breathing pyrochlores as candidate systems, and make explicit predictions for how the rank-2 U(1) spin liquid would manifest itself in experiment.