Topological Physics

Topological Physics is the branch of Physics that relies on topology to explain the observed phenomenology, namely, to classify phases of matter with a topological invariant. It started with Kosterlitz & Thouless description of the BKT transition, but the main seed of the field was the quantum Hall effect (1980), understood also by Thouless as being rooted in topology.

The field earned the 2016 Nobel Prize.

Topological insulator

Topological insulators are maybe the most prominent examples of topological physics.

From the Brumfiel piece below:

They were originally termed "novel Z2 topological invariants" by Kane, in reference to the quantum-mechanical properties that cause the electrons to skip along the edge. "We got tired of typing that out, so we called it a 'topological insulator'," says Moore. "I don't know that that term is particularly explanatory, but at least it's short."

Links

• Perspective by Kane & Mele.
• News feature by Geoff Brumfiel.
• article by drorzel on scienceblogs (with further links).

Links

• on Wikipedia.
• A Focus in Physics.