Gauge Fields

Cambridge University Press eBooks, pp. 133–148

Abstract

In this chapter, we focus on spontaneous symmetry breaking in the presence of gauge fields, with the charged superfluid as a prototypical application and example. We stress that gauge freedom is never broken, and introduce a gauge-invariant order parameter. The Anderson–Higgs mechanism is then derived as a consequence of breaking a global symmetry in the presence of local gauge freedom. The topological excitations associated with the charged superfluid are introduced, and their effect on the superconducting phase transition is analysed.

Authors 3

1. Aron J. Beekman
   Affiliation as printed

   Sioux Technologies

2. Louk Rademaker Aachen

   Leiden University · University of Geneva

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Geneva and Leiden University

3. Jasper van Wezel

   University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Amsterdam