Related papers: On 4-dimensional Lorentz-structures, Dark energy a…
The role of topology in elementary quantum physics is discussed in detail. It is argued that attributes of classical spatial topology emerge from properties of state vectors with suitably smooth time evolution. Equivalently, they emerge…
The conditions are clarified under which regular (i.e., singularity-free) black holes can exist. It is shown that in a large class of spacetimes that satisfy the weak energy condition the existence of a regular black hole requires topology…
In a previous effort [arXiv:1708.05492] we have created a framework that explains why topological structures naturally arise within a scientific theory; namely, they capture the requirements of experimental verification. This is…
We discuss the existence of equilibrium configurations for the Hamiltonian point-vortex model on a closed surface $\Sigma$. The topological properties of $\Sigma$ determine the occurrence of three distinct situations, corresponding to…
Possible generalizations of the topological (or Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless) phase transition on multicomponent 2D systems with nontrivial vector homotopic group pi_1 are considered. Relations between Ginzburg-Landau like theories,…
Topological defects, called magnetic hedgehogs, realize emergent magnetic monopoles, which are not allowed in the ordinary electromagnetism described by Maxwell's equations. Such monopoles were experimentally discovered in magnets in two…
The O(3) sigma model and abelian Higgs model in two space dimensions admit topological (Bogomol'nyi) lower bounds on their energy. This paper proposes lattice versions of these systems which maintain the Bogomol'nyi bounds. One consequence…
We revisit the construction in four-dimensional gauged $Spin(4)$ supergravity of the holographic duals to topologically twisted three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ field theories. Our focus in this paper is to highlight some subtleties…
This paper delves into the deformation of spinor structures within nontrivial topologies and their physical implications. The deformation is modeled by introducing real functions that modify the standard spinor dynamics, leading to distinct…
We use Furuta's result, usually referred to as ``10/8-conjecture'', to show that for any compact 3-manifold $M$ the open manifold $M\times\r$ has infinitely many different smooth structures. Another consequence of Furuta's result is…
We provide an approach to study exotic phenomena in relatively small 4-manifolds that captures many different exotic behaviors under one umbrella. These phenomena include exotic smooth structures on 4-manifolds with $b_2=1$, examples of…
This paper considers aspects of 4-manifold topology from the point of view of the null cone of a neutral metric, a point of view we call neutral causal topology. In particular, we construct and investigate neutral 4-manifolds with null…
A review is given of recent work on topology changing solutions to the first order form of general relativity. These solutions have metrics which are smooth everywhere, invertible almost everywhere, and have bounded curvature. The…
We discuss the structure of topological defects in the context of extra dimensions where the symmetry breaking terms are localized. These defects develop structure in the extra dimension which differs from the case where symmetry breaking…
The nature of space-time at high energy is an open question and the link between extra-dimensional theories with the physics of the Standard Model can not be established in a unique way. The compactification path is not unique and…
A generalized-homology bordism-theory is constructed, such that for certain manifold homotopy stratified sets (MHSS; Quinn-spaces) homeomorphism-invariant geometric fundamental-classes exist. The construction combines three ideas: Firstly,…
Modified gravity theories with the Gauss-Bonnet term $G=R^2-4R^{\mu\nu}R_{\mu\nu}+R^{\mu\nu\rho\sigma}R_{\mu\nu\rho\sigma}$ have recently gained a lot of attention as a possible explanation of dark energy. We perform a thorough phase space…
Wall-type stabilization problems investigate the collapse of exotic 4-dimensional phenomena under stabilization operations (e.g., taking connected sums with $S^2 \times S^2$). We propose an elementary approach to these problems, providing a…
We study exotic smoothings of open 4-manifolds using the minimal genus function and its analog for end homology. While traditional techniques in open 4-manifold smoothing theory give no control of minimal genera, we make progress by using…
The ideas of mathematical topology play an important role in many aspects of modern physics - from phase transitions to field theory to nonlinear dynamics (Nakahara M (2003) in Geometry, Topology and Physics, ed Brewer DF (IOP Publishing…