NUIM Math. Physics seminar

Julien Vidal (LPTMC Paris)

Topological phase transitions in the golden string-net model

Friday 26 Apr at 14.00

Hall C, Arts Building, North Campus

I will discuss phase transitions in simple systems where anyonic quasiparticles can be found, namely, the Kitaev toric code and the Levin-Wen string-net model. After a brief review of these exotic excitations in the simplest case of Abelian anyons, I will show that a wide variety of unconventional quantum phase transitions can be found in the presence of perturbation for the non Abelian case and that the often mentioned robustness of these topological phases is an issue that must be carefully addressed.

All are welcome. Tea/coffee and biscuits to follow. For directions to the Dept. please check http://www.thphys.nuim.ie/map.php