Related papers: Symmetry breaking and defects
If Lorentz symmetry is broken, it must have occurred dynamically, via a vector or tensor field whose potential energy forces it to take on a non-zero background expectation value "in vacuum". If the set of minima of this potential (the…
We propose a novel mechanism of spontaneous supersymmetry breaking which relies upon an ubiquitous feature of Quantum Field Theory, vacuum condensates. Such condensates play a crucial r\^{o}le in many phenomena. Examples include Unruh…
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in systems with symmetry is a cornerstone phenomenon accompanying second-order phase transitions. Here, we predict the opposite phenomenon, namely, spontaneous symmetry emergence in a system that lacks…
For a long time, we thought that only symmetry breaking can give rise to different phases of matter. If there was no symmetry breaking, there would be no pattern and it would be featureless. But now we realize that, for quantum matter at…
Due to the fact that only matter fields have phase, frequently is believed that the gauge principle can induce gauge fields only in quantum systems. But this is not necessary. This paper, of pedagogical scope, presents a classical system…
Spontaneous symmetry breaking is a fundamental concept in many areas of physics, ranging from cosmology and particle physics to condensed matter. A prime example is the breaking of spatial translation symmetry, which underlies the formation…
The topological theory and the Volterra process are key tools for the classification of defects in Condensed Mater Physics. We employ the same methods to classify the 2D defects of a 4D maximally symmetric spacetime. These \textit{cosmic…
The energy density of the universe today may be dominated by the vacuum energy of a slowly rolling scalar field. Making a quantum expansion around such a time dependent solution is found to break fundamental symmetries of quantum field…
Symmetry Breaking is used as an "underlying principle", bringing different features of QFT to the foreground. However, the understanding of Symmetry Breaking that is used here is quite different from what is done in the mainstream: Symmetry…
Spontaneous symmetry breaking is a foundational concept in physics. In condensed matter, it characterizes conventional continuous phase transitions but is absent at topological phase transitions such as the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless…
The scenario of a cosmology with topological defects is surveyed starting from the field theoretic aspects and ending with a description of large-scale structure formation and magnetic field generation. (Lectures delivered at ICTP, Trieste,…
Despite their tremendous successes, modern-day cosmology and particle physics harbor a variety of unresolved mysteries. Two of the biggest are the origin of the baryon asymmetry of the Universe and the existence and nature of dark matter.…
Topological defects can have significant cosmological consequences, so their production must be examined carefully. It is usually assumed that topological defects are produced if the temperature becomes sufficiently high, but in reality…
Evolution of the order parameter in condensed matter analogues of cosmological phase transitions is discussed. It is shown that the density of the frozen-out topological defects is set by the competition between the quench rate -- the rate…
We extend effective field theory to the case of spontaneous symmetry breaking in genuinely finite quantum systems such as small superfluid systems, molecules or atomic nuclei, and focus on deformed nuclei. In finite superfluids, symmetry…
We review the usual account of the phenomena of spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB), pointing out the common misunderstandings surrounding the issue, in particular within the context of quantum field theory. In fact, the common explanations…
In this work we investigate symmetry breaking in the presence of a turbulent environment. The transition from a symmetric state to a symmetry-breaking state is demonstrated using two examples: (i) the transition of a two-dimensional flow to…
We consider symmetry as a foundational concept in quantum mechanics and rewrite quantum mechanics and measurement axioms in this description. We argue that issues related to measurements and physical reality of states can be better…
We show that the spontaneous symmetry breaking can be defined also for finite systems based on the properly defined jump probability between the ground states in the 2d and 3d Ising models on a square and a cubic lattice respectively. Our…
The spontaneous symmetry breaking in a vibro-fluidized low-density granular gas in three connected compartments is investigated. When the total number of particles in the system becomes large enough, particles distribute themselves…