Topological properties of static and dynamic defect configurations in ordered liquids

A. Holz

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 1992, vol. 182, issue 1, 240-278

Abstract: The topology of linked disclinations is studied in uniaxial nematic liquids and in anisotropic liquids with an order parameter space SO(3)/Pi(3). In these models {Pi(3)} are the finite point symmetry groups of 3-space with applications to helium 3 (Pi(3) = I), biaxial nematic liquid (Pi(3) = D2), and anisotropic super cooled liquids (Pi(3) = groups of Platonic solids). The topological properties are studied via Hopf's invariant of the O(3) σ model and its relation to the Wess-Zumino term of the SO(3)/Pi(3) σ model in an orthonormal drei-bein representation of SO(3). Dynamic processes are topology changing during intersection of disclinations and are studied via “magnetic” N-pole singularities and the instanton number η in an “electromagnetic” formalism. The connection with tunneling amplitudes in a SO(3) Yang-Mills theory is indicated. Applications of the theory to topological fluid dynamics is worked out for the uniaxial nematic liquid and indicated for the SO(3) spin liquid.

Date: 1992
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/037843719290241H
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only. Journal offers the option of making the article available online on Science direct for a fee of $3,000

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:182:y:1992:i:1:p:240-278

DOI: 10.1016/0378-4371(92)90241-H

Access Statistics for this article

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications is currently edited by K. A. Dawson, J. O. Indekeu, H.E. Stanley and C. Tsallis

More articles in Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().