The topological-field-theory tag has no wiki summary.
11
votes
5answers
525 views
Reading list in topological QFT
I'm interested in learning about topological QFT including Chern Simons theory, Jones polynomial, Donaldson theory and Floer homology - basically the kind of things Witten worked on in the 80s. I'm ...
11
votes
1answer
498 views
Why is there no dynamics in 3D general relativity?
I heard a couple of times that there is no dynamics in 3D (2+1) GR, that it's something like a topological theory. I got the argument in the 2D case (the metric is conformally flat, Einstein equations ...
4
votes
1answer
190 views
Understanding Cherns-Simons-Witten Theory
I want to read about Wittens work, on Cherns-Simons theory, and relations to knots and jones polynomials. I am extremely motivated to read his paper: Quantum Field Theory and Jones polynomial.
What ...
3
votes
2answers
366 views
Are there solitary waves in $\phi^4$ theory in 3+1 dimensions?
In 3+1 dimensions with signature +1 -1 -1 -1,
$$ \mathcal{L}= \frac{1}{2}\partial^\mu\phi\partial_\mu\phi -\phi^2/2 -\phi^4/4$$
field equation: $$\square\phi+\phi+\phi^3=0$$ (check this)
...
9
votes
4answers
315 views
Applications of Geometric Topology to Theoretical Physics
Geometric topology is the study of manifolds, maps between manifolds, and embeddings of manifolds in one another. Included in this sub-branch of Pure Mathematics; knot theory, homotopy, manifold ...
4
votes
0answers
101 views
Prequisites to learn Topological Field Theory? [closed]
Sorry for the somewhat qualitative question but what are the essential prerequisites for someone wanting to learn topological field theory from say the more physical side of things? The math side also ...
3
votes
0answers
80 views
Isospin and Hypercharge of the SU(2) bps monopole embedding
I am reading the paper Fundamental monopoles and multimonopole solutions for arbitrary simple gauge groups - Weinberg, Erick J .
In appendix C of this paper the author states, that the solution ...
1
vote
1answer
383 views
Topological phase
Can anybody tell me, if generically any system, which is solely described by a topological field theory, resides in a topological phase? I cant find any clear notion of topological phase. Only ...
