- Library Home /
- Search Collections /
- Open Collections /
- Browse Collections /
- UBC Theses and Dissertations /
- Topological defects in high density QCD and other strongly...
Open Collections
UBC Theses and Dissertations
UBC Theses and Dissertations
Topological defects in high density QCD and other strongly interacting systems Buckley, Kirk B. W.
Abstract
In this thesis we will examine topological defects that arise in various physical contexts. The main theme of this thesis is the study of matter at high densities and low temperatures. This is important as these are the conditions that are realized in the interior of a neutron star. The first part of this thesis is devoted to the study of topological defects that appear in the color superconducting phase of high density QCD. We will show that unlike the Standard Model at zero density, the Standard Model at large densities supports various types of topological defects. In particular, we will assess the stability of the domain walls at intermediate densities. We will also show that there exists vortices that have a nonzero condensate trapped on the core. The consequence of the nonzero condensate is that it is possible to form stable loops of these strings called vortons. Next, we will examine matter at slightly smaller densities below the point where the color superconducting phase of QCD occurs, where the ground state consists of Cooper pairs of neutrons and Cooper pairs of protons. The presence of an electrically charged proton condensate leads to conventional BCS superconductivity. In this thesis we will demonstrate that the presence of a neutron condensate leads to type-I superconductivity, contrary to the standard picture that the interior of a neutron star exhibits type-II superconductivity. The final part of this thesis will introduce vortons in the context high temperature superconductivity. These quasiparticles may be important in understanding the nature of the phase transition from the antiferromagnetic state to the superconducting state as the material is doped. In addition, the study of vortons in high temperature superconductivity provides an interesting connection between condensed matter physics and astrophysics/high density QCD.
Item Metadata
Title |
Topological defects in high density QCD and other strongly interacting systems
|
Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
|
Date Issued |
2003
|
Description |
In this thesis we will examine topological defects that arise in various physical
contexts. The main theme of this thesis is the study of matter at high
densities and low temperatures. This is important as these are the conditions
that are realized in the interior of a neutron star. The first part of
this thesis is devoted to the study of topological defects that appear in the
color superconducting phase of high density QCD. We will show that unlike
the Standard Model at zero density, the Standard Model at large densities
supports various types of topological defects. In particular, we will assess
the stability of the domain walls at intermediate densities. We will also
show that there exists vortices that have a nonzero condensate trapped on
the core. The consequence of the nonzero condensate is that it is possible
to form stable loops of these strings called vortons. Next, we will examine
matter at slightly smaller densities below the point where the color superconducting
phase of QCD occurs, where the ground state consists of Cooper
pairs of neutrons and Cooper pairs of protons. The presence of an electrically
charged proton condensate leads to conventional BCS superconductivity. In
this thesis we will demonstrate that the presence of a neutron condensate
leads to type-I superconductivity, contrary to the standard picture that the
interior of a neutron star exhibits type-II superconductivity. The final part of this thesis will introduce vortons in the context high temperature superconductivity.
These quasiparticles may be important in understanding the
nature of the phase transition from the antiferromagnetic state to the superconducting
state as the material is doped. In addition, the study of vortons
in high temperature superconductivity provides an interesting connection
between condensed matter physics and astrophysics/high density QCD.
|
Extent |
6496405 bytes
|
Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
|
Language |
eng
|
Date Available |
2009-11-27
|
Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
|
Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
|
DOI |
10.14288/1.0085571
|
URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
|
Graduation Date |
2003-11
|
Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
|
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
|
Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.