Symmetry (physics)

About: Symmetry (physics) is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 26435 publications have been published within this topic receiving 500189 citations. The topic is also known as: symmetry (physics) & physical symmetry.

Random-Field Instability of the Ordered State of Continuous Symmetry

Abstract: Phase transitions are considered in systems where the field conjugate to the order parameter is static and random. It is demonstrated that when the order parameter has a continuous symmetry, the ordered state is unstable against an arbitrarily weak random field in less than four dimensions. The borderline dimensionality above which mean-field-theory results hold is six. (auth)

Field Theories with Superconductor Solutions

Abstract: The conditions for the existence of non-perturbative type « superconductor » solutions of field theories are examined. A non-covariant canonical transformation method is used to find such solutions for a theory of a fermion interacting with a pseudoscalar boson. A covariant renormalisable method using Feynman integrals is then given. A « superconductor » solution is found whenever in the normal perturbative-type solution the boson mass squared is negative and the coupling constants satisfy certain inequalities. The symmetry properties of such solutions are examined with the aid of a simple model of self-interacting boson fields. The solutions have lower symmetry than the Lagrangian, and contain mass zero bosons.

Cosmology and the Fate of Dilatation Symmetry

Abstract: We discuss the cosmological constant problem in the light of dilatation symmetry and its possible anomaly. For dilatation symmetric quantum theories realistic asymptotic cosmology is obtained provided the effective potential has a non-trivial minimum. For theories with dilatation anomaly one needs as a non-trivial "cosmon condition" that the energy-momentum tensor in the vacuum is purely anomalous. Such a condition is related to the short-distance renormalization group behavior of the fundamental theory. Observable deviations from the standard hot big bang cosmology are possible.

Pairing symmetry in cuprate superconductors

Abstract: Pairing symmetry in the cuprate superconductors is an important and controversial topic. The recent development of phase-sensitive tests, combined with the refinement of several other symmetry-sensitive techniques, has for the most part settled this controversy in favor of predominantly $d$-wave symmetry for a number of optimally hole- and electron-doped cuprates. This paper begins by reviewing the concepts of the order parameter, symmetry breaking, and symmetry classification in the context of the cuprates. After a brief survey of some of the key non-phase-sensitive tests of pairing symmetry, the authors extensively review the phase-sensitive methods, which use the half-integer flux-quantum effect as an unambiguous signature for $d$-wave pairing symmetry. A number of related symmetry-sensitive experiments are described. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the implications, both fundamental and applied, of the predominantly $d$-wave pairing symmetry in the cuprates.