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TT: Fachverband Tiefe Temperaturen

TT 14: Spin Systems and Itinerant Magnets

TT 14.5: Invited Talk

Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 15:00–15:30, H19

Topological phases in condensed matter — •Roderich Moessner — Theoretical Physics, Oxford University

Topological phases currently play an important role in condensed matter physics. Most saliently, they are associated with various spectacular phenomena, such as the fractional quantum Hall effect or, with less confidence, high-temperature superconductivity. In addition, they are central to the attempt to construct a quantum computer protected against decoherence by a topological mechanism. Finally, they widen our understanding of the possible states of matter, as their description lies beyond the classial Landau-Ginzburg–Wilson framework of phases and phase transitions. This talk provides an overview of some of these issues, together with a presentation of recent developments. It focuses on the role that magnetic lattice systems can play in elucidating the physics of topological phases.