Publisher Description

The subject of geometry has become an important ingredient in condensed matter physics. It appears not only to describe, but also to explain structures and their properties. There are two aspects to using geometry: the visual and intuitive understanding, which fosters an immediate grasp of the objects one studies, and the abstract tendency so well developed in the Riemannian manifold theory. Both aspects contribute to the same understanding when they are applied to the main problems occurring in condensed matter sciences. Sophisticated structures found in nature appear naturally as the result of simple constraints which are presented in geometrical terms. Blue phases, amorphous and glassy materials, Frank and Kasper Metals, quasi-crystals are approached in their complexity, using the simple principles of geometry. The relation between biology and liquid crystal sciences, the physics of membranes is a fundamental aspect presented in this book.

Now in paperback, this book provides an overview of the physics of condensed matter systems. Assuming a familiarity with the basics of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, the book establishes a general framework for describing condensed phases of matter, based on symmetries and conservation laws. It explores the role of spatial dimensionality and microscopic interactions in determining the nature of phase transitions, as well as discussing the structure and properties of materials with different symmetries. Particular attention is given to critical phenomena and renormalization group methods. The properties of liquids, liquid crystals, quasicrystals, crystalline solids, magnetically ordered systems and amorphous solids are investigated in terms of their symmetry, generalised rigidity, hydrodynamics and topological defect structure. In addition to serving as a course text, this book is an essential reference for students and researchers in physics, applied physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering, who are interested in modern condensed matter physics.

This book reports new results in condensed matter physics for which topological methods and ideas are important. It considers, on the one hand, recently discovered systems such as carbon nanocrystals and, on the other hand, new topological methods used to describe more traditional systems such as the Fermi surfaces of normal metals, liquid crystals and quasicrystals. The authors of the book are renowned specialists in their fields and present the results of ongoing research, some of it obtained only very recently and not yet published in monograph form.

Written by physicists for physics students, this text assumes no detailed background in topology or geometry. Topics include differential forms, homotopy, homology, cohomology, fiber bundles, connection and covariant derivatives, and Morse theory. 1983 edition.

In recent years there have been great advances in the applications of topology and differential geometry to problems in condensed matter physics. Concepts drawn from topology and geometry have become essential to the understanding of several phenomena in the area. The main purpose of this book is to provide a brief, self-contained introduction to some mathematical ideas and methods from differential geometry and topology, and to show a few applications in condensed matter.