Symmetry Breaking by Example

Cambridge University Press eBooks, pp. 31–51

Abstract

In this chapter, spontaneously broken symmetries are first encountered. Their common properties and effects are introduced by example. We start from the classic symmetry of a balanced pencil to introduce singular limits and classical symmetry breaking. After that, prototypical quantum-mechanical examples are introduced, in the form of crystals breaking translational symmetry, antiferromagnets breaking spin-rotational symmetry, as well as Bose–Einstein condensates and superconductors breaking phase-rotation symmetry, with and without gauge freedom present.

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