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Topological concepts are essential to understand many of the most important recent discoveries in the basic physics of solids. Topology can be loosely defined as the branch of mathematics studying the properties of an object that are invariant under smooth distortions. Topological phases, as a result, show a kind of robustness and universality that is similar in spirit to the famous universality observed at continuous phase transitions, but with a very different microscopic origin. This chapter introduces some of the key examples of topological phases of matter and places them in the broader context of many-body physics. Einstein famously commented that statistical mechanics was one kind of physics whose basic principles would last forever, because they were based only on the assumption that our knowledge of a complex system is incomplete. Topological phases show how a kind of macroscopic simplicity and perfection can nevertheless emerge in many-particle systems, even in the presence of disorder and fluctuations that make a complete microscopic description impossible.
Condensed matter. --- Topology. --- Topological defects (Physics) --- Geometric quantum phases. --- Quantum Hall effect. --- Matière condensée --- Topologie --- Hall quantique, Effet --- Matière condensée --- Topological defects (Physics).
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Topological Phases of Matter are an exceptionally dynamic field of research: several of the most exciting recent experimental discoveries and conceptual advances in modern physics have originated in this field. These have generated new, topological, notions of order, interactions and excitations. This text provides an accessible, unified and comprehensive introduction to the phenomena surrounding topological matter, with detailed expositions of the underlying theoretical tools and conceptual framework, alongside accounts of the central experimental breakthroughs. Among the systems covered are topological insulators, magnets, semimetals, and superconductors. The emergence of new particles with remarkable properties such as fractional charge and statistics is discussed alongside possible applications such as fault-tolerant topological quantum computing. Suitable as a textbook for graduate or advanced undergraduate students, or as a reference for more experienced researchers, the book assumes little prior background, providing self-contained introductions to topics as varied as phase transitions, superconductivity, and localisation.
Condensed matter. --- Geometric quantum phases. --- Topological defects (Physics) --- Topology.
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