Chern-Simons theory in mathematics, condensed matter theory and cosmology
Mathematical Physics
2026-03-27 v1 math.MP
Abstract
Various applications of Chern-Simons theory in algebraic topology, in particular knot theory, condensed matter physics and cosmology are reviewed. Special attention is paid to appearances of Chern-Simons actions in the theory of the (integer and fractional) quantum Hall effect. A mechanism related to five-dimensional abelian Chern-Simons theory that may be at the origin of the observed intergalactic magnetic fields in the universe is described.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2603.25346,
title = {Chern-Simons theory in mathematics, condensed matter theory and cosmology},
author = {Jürg Fröhlich},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.25346},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
14 pages, no figures, accepted for publication in the `Notices of the American Mathematical Society' (Simons Memorial Collection)