Topological defects
arXiv:2311.02449 · doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-95703-8.00098-7
Abstract
This is a survey article for the Encyclopedia of Mathematical Physics, 2nd Edition. Topological defects are described in the context of the 2-dimensional Ising model on the lattice, in 2-dimensional quantum field theory, in topological quantum field theory in arbitrary dimension, and in higher-dimensional quantum field theory with a focus on 4-dimensional quantum electrodynamics.
37 pages, contribution to the Encyclopedia of Mathematical Physics, 2nd Edition; v2: references added