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Braid statistics

Possible statistical behavior of particles in quantum statistical mechanics

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Statistical mechanics

In mathematics and theoretical physics, braid statistics is a generalization of the spin statistics of bosons and fermions based on the concept of braid group. While for fermions (Bosons) the corresponding statistics is associated to a phase gain of π {\displaystyle \pi } {\displaystyle \pi } ( 2 π {\displaystyle 2\pi } {\displaystyle 2\pi }) under the exchange of identical particles, a particle with braid statistics leads to a rational fraction of π {\displaystyle \pi } {\displaystyle \pi } under such exchange [1][2] or even a non-trivial unitary transformation in the Hilbert space (see non-Abelian anyons). A similar notion exists using a loop braid group.

Plektons[edit]

Braid statistics are applicable to theoretical particles such as the two-dimensional anyons and their higher-dimensional analogues known as plektons.

A plekton is a hypothetical type of particle that obeys a different style of statistics with respect to the interchange of identical particles. That is, it would be neither a boson nor a fermion, but subject to a braid statistics.[3] Such particles have been discussed as a generalization of the braid characteristics of the anyon to dimension > 2.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Leinaas, J. M.; Myrheim, J. (1977-01-01). "On the theory of identical particles". Il Nuovo Cimento B. 37 (1): 1–23. Bibcode:1977NCimB..37....1L. doi:10.1007/BF02727953. ISSN 1826-9877. S2CID 117277704.
  2. ^ Wilczek, Frank (1982-10-04). "Quantum Mechanics of Fractional-Spin Particles". Physical Review Letters. 49 (14): 957–959. Bibcode:1982PhRvL..49..957W. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.49.957.
  3. ^ Fredenhagen, Klaus; Gaberdiel, Matthias; Rüger, Stefan (1996). "Scattering states of plektons (particles with braid group statistics) in 2+1 dimensional quantum field theory". Communications in Mathematical Physics. 175 (2): 319–335. arXiv:hep-th/9410115. Bibcode:1996CMaPh.175..319F. doi:10.1007/BF02102411. S2CID 14359694.


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