Fractionalization and Emergent Z₂ Topological Order in Kagome Dipolar Systems

Dipolar interactions—ubiquitous in anisotropic magnetic systems with local moments—can sometimes dominate over exchange interactions and profoundly reshape material behavior. Their long-range, anisotropic nature enhances magnetic frustration and may stabilize exotic emergent phenomena. Motivated by recent advances in the quantum simulation of topological orders using Rydberg atom arrays, we explore the realization of such phases in dipolar quantum magnets and polar molecules on a kagome lattice. We demonstrate that, in conjunction with other interactions such as a transverse field, the dipolar interaction endows the kagome system with a structure analogous to the Balents-Fisher-Girvin model, thereby fostering the emergence of a Z₂ topological order. We construct a Z₂ lattice gauge theory to describe this topologically ordered phase and its associated fractionalized spinon and vison excitations. The spectroscopic signatures of various quantum phases are elucidated, providing pathways for experimental detection.