Abstract
A new definition of order called topological order is proposed for two-dimensional systems in which no long-range order of the conventional type exists. The possibility of a phase transition characterized by a change in the response of the system to an external perturbation is discussed in the context of a mean field type of approximation. The critical behaviour found in this model displays very weak singularities. The application of these ideas to the xy model of magnetism, the solid-liquid transition, and the neutral superfluid are discussed. This type of phase transition cannot occur in a superconductor nor in a Heisenberg ferromagnet.
Keywords
Phase transitionMetastabilityCondensed matter physicsGravitational singularityPhysicsMagnetismFerromagnetismSuperconductivityType (biology)Perturbation (astronomy)Context (archaeology)Quantum phase transitionQuantum mechanics
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Publication Info
- Year
- 1973
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 6
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 1181-1203
- Citations
- 9213
- Access
- Closed
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Cite This
J. M. Kosterlitz,
D. J. Thouless
(1973).
Ordering, metastability and phase transitions in two-dimensional systems.
Journal of Physics C Solid State Physics
, 6
(7)
, 1181-1203.
https://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3719/6/7/010
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1088/0022-3719/6/7/010