Topological Defects and the Non-Equilibrium Dynamics of Symmetry Breaking Phase Transitions

Topological Defects and the Non-Equilibrium Dynamics of Symmetry Breaking Phase Transitions PDF Author: Yuriy M. Bunkov
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401141061
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 388

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Book Description
Topological defects formed at symmetry-breaking phase transitions play an important role in many different fields of physics. They appear in many condensed-matter systems at low temperature; examples include vortices in superfluid helium-4, a rich variety of defects in helium-3, quantized mag netic flux tubes in type-II superconductors, and disclination lines and other defects in liquid crystals. In cosmology, unified gauge theories of particle interactions suggest a sequence of phase transitions in the very early uni verse some of which may lead to defect formation. In astrophysics, defects play an important role in the dynamics of neutron stars. In 1997 the European Science Foundation started the scientific network "Topological defects" headed by Tom Kibble. This network has provided us with a unique opportunity of establishing a collaboration between the representatives of these very different branches of modern physics. The NATO-ASI (Advanced Study Institute), held in Les Houches in February 1999 thanks to the support of the Scientific Division of NATO, the European Science Foundation and the CNRS, represents a key event of this ESF network. It brought together participants from widely different fields, with diverse expertise and vocabulary, fostering the exchange of ideas. The lectures given by particle physicists, cosmologists and condensed matter physicists are the result of the fruitful collaborations established since 1997 between groups in several European countries and in the U.S.A.

Topological Defects and the Non-Equilibrium Dynamics of Symmetry Breaking Phase Transitions

Topological Defects and the Non-Equilibrium Dynamics of Symmetry Breaking Phase Transitions PDF Author: Yuriy M. Bunkov
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401141061
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 388

Get Book Here

Book Description
Topological defects formed at symmetry-breaking phase transitions play an important role in many different fields of physics. They appear in many condensed-matter systems at low temperature; examples include vortices in superfluid helium-4, a rich variety of defects in helium-3, quantized mag netic flux tubes in type-II superconductors, and disclination lines and other defects in liquid crystals. In cosmology, unified gauge theories of particle interactions suggest a sequence of phase transitions in the very early uni verse some of which may lead to defect formation. In astrophysics, defects play an important role in the dynamics of neutron stars. In 1997 the European Science Foundation started the scientific network "Topological defects" headed by Tom Kibble. This network has provided us with a unique opportunity of establishing a collaboration between the representatives of these very different branches of modern physics. The NATO-ASI (Advanced Study Institute), held in Les Houches in February 1999 thanks to the support of the Scientific Division of NATO, the European Science Foundation and the CNRS, represents a key event of this ESF network. It brought together participants from widely different fields, with diverse expertise and vocabulary, fostering the exchange of ideas. The lectures given by particle physicists, cosmologists and condensed matter physicists are the result of the fruitful collaborations established since 1997 between groups in several European countries and in the U.S.A.

Formation and Interactions of Topological Defects

Formation and Interactions of Topological Defects PDF Author: Anne-Christine Davis
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461518830
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
Topological defects have recently become of great interest in condensed matter physics, particle physics and cosmology. They are the unavoidable remnants of many symmetry breaking phase transitions. Topological defects can play an important role in describing the properties of many condensed matter systems (e.g. superfluids and superconduc tors); they can catalyze many unusual effects in particle physics models and they may be responsible for seeding the density perturbations in the early Universe which de velop into galaxies and the large-scale structure of the Universe. Topological defects are also of great interest in mathematics as nontrivial solutions of nonlinear differential equations stabilized by topological effects. The purpose of the Advanced Study Institute "Formation and Interactions of Topo logical Defects" was to bring together students and practitioners in condensed matter physics, particle physics and cosmology, to give a detailed exposition of the role of topo logical defects in these fields; to explore similarities and differences in the approaches; and to provide a common basis for discussion and future collaborative research on common problems.

Topological Defects and the Non-Equilibrium Dynamics of Symmetry Breaking Phase Transitions

Topological Defects and the Non-Equilibrium Dynamics of Symmetry Breaking Phase Transitions PDF Author: Yuriy M. Bunkov
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9780792362050
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 70

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Book Description
Topological defects formed at symmetry-breaking phase transitions play an important role in many different fields of physics. They appear in many condensed-matter systems at low temperature; examples include vortices in superfluid helium-4, a rich variety of defects in helium-3, quantized mag netic flux tubes in type-II superconductors, and disclination lines and other defects in liquid crystals. In cosmology, unified gauge theories of particle interactions suggest a sequence of phase transitions in the very early uni verse some of which may lead to defect formation. In astrophysics, defects play an important role in the dynamics of neutron stars. In 1997 the European Science Foundation started the scientific network "Topological defects" headed by Tom Kibble. This network has provided us with a unique opportunity of establishing a collaboration between the representatives of these very different branches of modern physics. The NATO-ASI (Advanced Study Institute), held in Les Houches in February 1999 thanks to the support of the Scientific Division of NATO, the European Science Foundation and the CNRS, represents a key event of this ESF network. It brought together participants from widely different fields, with diverse expertise and vocabulary, fostering the exchange of ideas. The lectures given by particle physicists, cosmologists and condensed matter physicists are the result of the fruitful collaborations established since 1997 between groups in several European countries and in the U.S.A.

Topological Defects In Cosmology

Topological Defects In Cosmology PDF Author: Francesco Melchiorri
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9814546100
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 302

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Book Description
This book is devoted to one of the most relevant problems of modern cosmology: the formation of structures in the framework of big bang cosmology. The standard theory of gravitational instability has met with great success but has also encountered significant difficulties. In this book the alternative possibility offered by topological defects is explored in detail. A pedagogical introduction to the problem is given and several theoretical aspects of the problem are reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the observable consequences of the presence of topological defects, and in particular their interaction with cosmic background radiation; other observable effects are also discussed. In addition, laboratory experiments on topological defects are dealt with. This book will, for a long time, serve as one of the best references, on the topic for students and researchers in cosmology.

Towards Quantum Gravity

Towards Quantum Gravity PDF Author: Jerzy Kowalski-Glikman
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3540466347
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 387

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Book Description
The aim of this book is to give graduate students an overview of quantum gravity but it also covers related topics from astrophysics. Some well-written contributions can serve as an introduction into basic conceptual concepts like time in quantum gravity or the emergence of a classical world from quantum cosmology. This makes the volume attractive to philosophers of science, too. Other topics are black holes, gravitational waves and non-commutative extensions of physical theories.

Cosmic Strings and Other Topological Defects

Cosmic Strings and Other Topological Defects PDF Author: A. Vilenkin
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521654760
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 584

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Book Description
Comprehensive introduction to the role of cosmic strings and other topological defects in the universe.

The Non-Sleeping Universe

The Non-Sleeping Universe PDF Author: Maria Teresa Vaz Torrão Lago
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401144974
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 380

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Book Description
This unique volume contains the proceedings of two "Non-Sleeping Universe" conferences: "Stars and the ISM" and "From Galaxies to the Horizon". The book provides an overview of recent developments in a variety of areas, covering a very wide range of spatial and temporal scales.

Understanding Quantum Phase Transitions

Understanding Quantum Phase Transitions PDF Author: Lincoln Carr
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1439802610
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 754

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Book Description
Quantum phase transitions (QPTs) offer wonderful examples of the radical macroscopic effects inherent in quantum physics: phase changes between different forms of matter driven by quantum rather than thermal fluctuations, typically at very low temperatures. QPTs provide new insight into outstanding problems such as high-temperature superconductivit

Liquid Crystal Colloids

Liquid Crystal Colloids PDF Author: Igor Muševič
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319549162
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
This book brings together the many concepts and discoveries in liquid crystal colloids contributed over the last twenty years and scattered across numerous articles and book chapters. It provides both a historical overview of the development of the field and a clear perspective on the future applications in photonics. The book covers all phenomena observed in liquid crystal colloids with an emphasis on experimental tools and applications of topology in condensed matter, as well as practical micro-photonics applications. It includes a number of spectacular manifestations of new topological phenomena not found or difficult to observe in other systems. Starting from the early works on nematic colloids, it explains the basics of topological defects in ordered media, charge and winding, and the elastic forces between colloidal particles in nematics. Following a detailed description of experimental methods, such as optical tweezing and particle tracking, the book eases the reader into the theoretical part, which deals with elastic deformation of nematic liquid crystals due to inclusions and surface alignment. This is discussed in the context of basic mean field Landau-de Gennes Q-tensor theory, with a brief explanation of the free-energy minimization numerical methods. There then follows an excursion into the topology of complex nematic colloidal structures, colloidal entanglement, knotting and linking. Nematic droplets, shells, handlebodies and chiral topological structures are addressed in separate chapters. The book concludes with an extensive chapter on the photonic properties of nematic dispersions, presenting the concept of integrated soft matter photonics and discussing the concepts of nematic and chiral nematic microlasers, surface-sensitive photonic devices and smectic microfibers. The text is complemented by a large bibliography, explanatory sketches and beautiful micrographs.

Novel Superfluids

Novel Superfluids PDF Author: K. H. Bennemann
Publisher: International Monographs on Ph
ISBN: 0199585911
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 641

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Book Description
This book reports on the latest developments in the field of Superfluidity, one of the most fundamental, interesting, and important problems in physics, with applications ranging from metals, helium liquids, photons in cavities, excitons in semiconductors, to the interior of neutron stars and the present state of the Universe as a whole.