Dynamics and Statistical Mechanics

This chapter discusses the dynamics and statistical mechanics of topological defects and solitons. For dynamics, it begins with a model for the dissipative dynamics of orientational order, and calculates the drag forces on defects and solitons. By combining drag and interaction forces, it predicts how opposite-charged defects move together and annihilate. For statistical mechanics, one important role for defects is in coarsening, the dynamic growth of orientational order after sudden cooling, which is controlled by defect annihilation. Another important role is in the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition, which is an equilibrium phase transition driven by defect binding or unbinding.