1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910300427503321

Autore

Nahum Adam

Titolo

Critical Phenomena in Loop Models [[electronic resource] /] / by Adam Nahum

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2015

ISBN

3-319-06407-X

Edizione

[1st ed. 2015.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (150 p.)

Collana

Springer Theses, Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research, , 2190-5053

Disciplina

519

530

530.15

530.41

Soggetti

Physics

Statistical physics

Dynamical systems

Mathematical physics

Condensed matter

Mathematical Methods in Physics

Complex Systems

Mathematical Applications in the Physical Sciences

Condensed Matter Physics

Statistical Physics and Dynamical Systems

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references.

Nota di contenuto

Introduction -- Completely Packed Loop Models -- Topological Terms, Quantum Magnets and Deconfined Criticality -- The Statistics of Vortex Lines -- Loop Models with Crossings in 2D -- Polymer Collapse -- Outlook -- Appendix A Potts domain walls and CP^{n-1} -- Appendix B Phases for Hedgehogs & Vortices.

Sommario/riassunto

When close to a continuous phase transition, many physical systems can usefully be mapped to ensembles of fluctuating loops, which might represent for example polymer rings, or line defects in a lattice



magnet, or worldlines of quantum particles. 'Loop models' provide a unifying geometric language for problems of this kind. This thesis aims to extend this language in two directions. The first part of the thesis tackles ensembles of loops in three dimensions, and relates them to the statistical properties of line defects in disordered media and to critical phenomena in two-dimensional quantum magnets. The second part concerns two-dimensional loop models that lie outside the standard paradigms: new types of critical point are found, and new results given for the universal properties of polymer collapse transitions in two dimensions. All of these problems are shown to be related to sigma models on complex or real projective space, CP^{n−1} or RP^{n−1} -- in some cases in a 'replica' limit -- and this thesis is also an in-depth investigation of critical behaviour in these field theories.