In
theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics that employs mathematical models and abstractions of physical objects and systems to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena. This is in contrast to experimental physics, which uses experim ...
, a Nielsen–Olesen vortex is a point-like object localized in two spatial dimensions or, equivalently, a classical solution of
field theory with the same property. This particular solution occurs if the configuration space of scalar fields contains non-contractible circles. A circle surrounding the vortex at infinity may be "wrapped" once on the other circle in the configuration space. A configuration with this non-trivial topological property is called the Nielsen–Olesen vortex, after
Holger Bech Nielsen
Holger Bech Nielsen (born 25 August 1941) is a Danish theoretical physicist and professor emeritus at the Niels Bohr Institute, at the University of Copenhagen, where he started studying physics in 1961.
Work
Nielsen has made original contribut ...
and
Poul Olesen
Poul is a Danish language, Danish masculine given name. It is the Danish cognate of the name Paul (name), Paul. Poul may refer to:
People
*Poul Andersen (resistance member), Poul Andersen (1922–2006), Danish printer
*Poul Anderson (1926–2001 ...
(1973). The solution is formally identical to the solution of
Quantum vortex
In physics, a quantum vortex represents a quantized flux circulation of some physical quantity. In most cases, quantum vortices are a type of topological defect exhibited in superfluids and superconductors. The existence of quantum vortices was ...
in superconductor.
See also
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Nielsen–Olsen string
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Abrikosov vortex
In superconductivity, fluxon (also called a Abrikosov vortex and quantum vortex) is a vortex of supercurrent in a type-II superconductor, used by Alexei Abrikosov to explain magnetic behavior of type-II superconductors. Abrikosov vortices occur ...
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Montonen–Olive duality
Montonen–Olive duality or electric–magnetic duality is the oldest known example of strong–weak duality or S-duality according to current terminology. It generalizes the electro-magnetic symmetry of Maxwell's equations by stating that magne ...
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S-duality
In theoretical physics, S-duality (short for strong–weak duality, or Sen duality) is an equivalence of two physical theories, which may be either quantum field theories or string theories. S-duality is useful for doing calculations in theoret ...
References
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Quantum field theory
Vortices
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