Principles of a classification of defects in ordered media

G. Toulouse , M. Kléman

A classification of defects in ordered media is presented. Based on purely topological concepts, it provides a distinction between elementary (topologically stable) and compound defects. This systematic classification recovers some previous empirically derived results and allows new predictions. It exhibits a striking connection between the nature of defects in an ordered phase and the critical phenomena at the phase transition.

Mots clés: critical phenomena; crystal defects; phase transformations; classification; defects; ordered media; phase transition; topology; condensed matter

Domaines: Articles anciens

G. Toulouse, M. Kléman. Principles of a classification of defects in ordered media. Journal de Physique Lettres, 1976, 37 (6), pp.149-151. ⟨10.1051/jphyslet:01976003706014900⟩. ⟨jpa-00231261⟩