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    Gapless symmetry-protected topological states in measurement-only circuits

    Xue-Jia Yu1,2,3,*, Sheng Yang4,*, Shuo Liu5,6,†, Hai-Qing Lin4, and Shao-Kai Jian7,‡

    • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
    • †Contact author: sl6097@princeton.edu
    • ‡Contact author: sjian@tulane.edu

    Phys. Rev. B 113, 134302 – Published 2 April, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/b95c-th5t

    Abstract

    Measurement-only quantum circuits offer a versatile platform for realizing intriguing quantum phases of matter. However, gapless symmetry-protected topological (gSPT) states remain insufficiently explored in these settings. Here, we generalize the notion of gSPT to the critical steady state in measurement-only circuits. Using large-scale Clifford circuit simulations, we investigate the steady-state phase diagram across several families of measurement-only circuits that exhibit topological nontrivial edge states at criticality. In the cluster Ising circuits, we uncover a symmetry-enriched nonunitary critical point, termed symmetry-enriched percolation, characterized by both topologically nontrivial edge states and string operators. Additionally, we demonstrate the realization of a steady-state gSPT phase in a Z4 circuit model. This phase features topological edge modes and remains robust under symmetry-preserving perturbations. Furthermore, we provide a unified theoretical framework by mapping the system to Majorana loop models, offering deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms.

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