PIRSA:18030073

Video URL

https://pirsa.org/18030073

Dual gauge field theory of quantum liquid crystals

Beekman, A. (2018). Dual gauge field theory of quantum liquid crystals. Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. https://pirsa.org/18030073

Beekman, Aron. Dual gauge field theory of quantum liquid crystals. Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Mar. 26, 2018, https://pirsa.org/18030073 

          @misc{ scivideos_PIRSA:18030073,
            doi = {10.48660/18030073},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/18030073},
            author = {Beekman, Aron},
            keywords = {Quantum Matter},
            language = {en},
            title = {Dual gauge field theory of quantum liquid crystals},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics},
            year = {2018},
            month = {mar},
            note = {PIRSA:18030073 see, \url{https://scivideos.org/pirsa/18030073}}
          }

Aron Beekman Keio University

Talk numberPIRSA:18030073
DOI10.48660/18030073
Source RepositoryPIRSA
Collection
Talk Type Scientific Series
Subject

Abstract

Already in their early papers, Kosterlitz and Thouless envisaged the melting of solids by the unbinding of the topological defects associated with translational order: dislocations. Later it was realized that the resulting phases have translational symmetry but rotational rigidity: they are liquid crystals.

 

We consider the topological melting of solids as a zero-temperature quantum phase transition. In a generalization of particle-vortex duality, the Goldstone modes of the solid, phonons, map onto gauge bosons which mediate long-range interactions between dislocations. The phase transition is achieved by a Bose-Einstein condensation of dislocations, restoring translational symmetry and destroying shear rigidity. The dual gauge fields become massive due to the Anderson-Higgs mechanism. In this sense, the liquid crystal is a "stress superconductor".

 

We have developed this dual gauge field theory both in 2+1D, where dislocations are particle-like and phonons are vector bosons, and 3+1D where dislocations are string-like and phonons are Kalb-Ramond gauge fields. Focussing mostly on the theoretical formalism, I will discuss the relevance to recent experiments on helium monolayers, which show evidence for a quantum hexatic phase.

 

References:

2+1D : Physics Reports 683, 1 (2017)

3+1D : Physical Review B 96, 1651115 (2017)