Year: 2006
Type: preprint
Abstract: In condensed matter physics and related areas, topological defects play important roles in phase transitions and critical phenomena. Homotopy theory facilitates the classification of such topological defects. After a pedagogic introduction to the mathematical methods involved in topology and homotopy theory, the role of the latter in a number of mainly low-dimensional statistical-mechanical systems is outlined. Some recent activities in this area are reviewed and some possible future directions are discussed.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Author: Kenna, Ralph
Institution: Coventry University
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2103055476