Defect Formation Through Boson Condensation in Quantum Field Theory

1999/02/19 by Giuseppe Vitiello, Vitiello, Giuseppe
Physics and Astronomy · #Condensed Matter (cond-mat) #FOS: Physical sciences #High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th) #cond-mat #hep-th

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.hep-th/9902139

Lectures given at Les-Houches Winter School "Topological Defects and the Non-Equilibrium Dynamics of Symmetry Breaking Phase Transitions", February 16 - 26, 1999

arxiv created 1999/02/19 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30

Abstract

Kinks, vortices, monopoles are extended objects, or defects, of quantum origin with topologically non-trivial properties and macroscopic behavior. They are described in Quantum Field Theory in terms of non-homogeneous boson condensation. I will review the related QFT formalism, the spontaneous breakdown of symmetry framework in which the defects appear and discuss finite temperature effects, also in connection with phase transition problematics.

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