Topological Defects and the Non-Equilibrium Dynamics of Symmetry Breaking Phase Transitions
By: edited by Yuriy M. Bunkov, Henri Godfrin
Contributors: Godfrin, Henri
Series: NATO Science Series, Series C: Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 1389-2185 -- 549; NATO science series -- 549.
Publisher: Springer Netherlands; Imprint; Springer
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Dordrecht
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] /
Number of pages: 396
ISBN-13: 9789401141062
Other titles: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, held in Les Houches, France, 16-26 February 1999
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, including vortices in superfluid He-4, defects in He-3, quantized magnetic 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 universe, some of which may lead to defect formation. In astrophysics, defects play an important role in the dynamics of neutron stars. <br/> The present book begins with a Condensed Matter - High Energy & Cosmology dictionary, prepared by Grigory Volovik, which gives a common basis to ideas pertaining to these branches of modern physics. The following papers, written by experts in their respective fields, provide the fundamental concepts of symmetry-breaking phase transitions. The book represents the fruits of an exchange of ideas between particle physicists, cosmologists and condensed matter physicists.