291 citations · 1.4k across the 19 of their papers we have counts for
4 papers · 1 filter
Topological defect formation in a phase transition with tunable order
Fumika Suzuki, Wojciech H. Zurek
The Kibble-Zurek mechanism (KZM) describes the non-equilibrium dynamics and topological defect formation in systems undergoing second-order phase transitions. KZM has found applica…
Topological relics of symmetry breaking: Winding numbers and scaling tilts from random vortex-antivortex pairs
Wojciech H. Zurek
I show that random distributions of vortex-antivortex pairs (rather than of individual vortices) lead to scaling of typical winding numbers W trapped inside a loop of circumference…
Causality and non-equilibrium second-order phase transitions in inhomogeneous systems
A. del Campo, T. W. B. Kibble, W. H. Zurek
When a second-order phase transition is crossed at fine rate, the evolution of the system stops being adiabatic as a result of the critical slowing down in the neighborhood of the…
Shards of Broken Symmetry: Topological Defects as Traces of the Phase Transition Dynamics
W. H. Zurek, L. M. A. Bettencourt, J. Dziarmaga +1
We discuss the origin of topological defects in phase transitions and analyze their role as a "diagnostic tool" in the study of the non-equilibrium dynamics of symmetry breaking. H…