Applications of topology to the study of ordered systems

R. Shankar

This paper is a detailed version of a recent preprint wherein the above topic was analysed rather concisely. A pedagogical introduction to homotopy theory is followed by its applications to the study of non-singular configurations in ordered systems such as 3He-A, nematic liquid crystals etc. The role of the hamiltonian in deciding the observability and stability of these configurations is briefly examined.

Mots clés: ferromagnetism; nematic liquid crystals; statistical mechanics; superfluid helium 3; topology

Domaines: Articles anciens

R. Shankar. Applications of topology to the study of ordered systems. Journal de Physique, 1977, 38 (11), pp.1405-1412. ⟨10.1051/jphys:0197700380110140500⟩. ⟨jpa-00208711⟩