Do there exist phases of matter where the order parameter space is non-orientable?

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For example, are there order parameter space that is homeomorphic to a Klein bottle?










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    up vote
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    For example, are there order parameter space that is homeomorphic to a Klein bottle?










    share|cite|improve this question























      up vote
      3
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      3
      down vote

      favorite











      For example, are there order parameter space that is homeomorphic to a Klein bottle?










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      For example, are there order parameter space that is homeomorphic to a Klein bottle?







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      asked 1 hour ago









      Bohan Lu

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          Yes.



          For example, in a nematic phase of matter, the order breaks rotation symmetry in that it fixes an axis, but it does not prefer/fix a direction. The conceptual picture of is of little rods. Hence, antipodal points along the sphere are identified, such that the order parameter space is $S^2/ pm 1 cong mathbb RP^2$, the projective plane! This manifold is indeed non-orientable.



          In fact, see the top answer on this page for a nice explanation and a bunch of good references: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/45832/are-there-examples-of-non-orientable-manifolds-in-nature






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          • OK, I forgot that the Mobius strip is just the real projective space minus a disk, my bad. I guess my general curiosity lies in whether order parameter space homeomorphic to each classified closed surface (sphere, n-connected torus, m-connected RP, etc) can correspond to physical systems. What I learned from J. Sethna's books only include examples of the simplest spaces.
            – Bohan Lu
            10 mins ago










          • Sir, I also looked at your website and it was really cool! Your research interest aligns quite well with mine.
            – Bohan Lu
            5 mins ago










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          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes








          1 Answer
          1






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes








          up vote
          4
          down vote



          accepted










          Yes.



          For example, in a nematic phase of matter, the order breaks rotation symmetry in that it fixes an axis, but it does not prefer/fix a direction. The conceptual picture of is of little rods. Hence, antipodal points along the sphere are identified, such that the order parameter space is $S^2/ pm 1 cong mathbb RP^2$, the projective plane! This manifold is indeed non-orientable.



          In fact, see the top answer on this page for a nice explanation and a bunch of good references: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/45832/are-there-examples-of-non-orientable-manifolds-in-nature






          share|cite|improve this answer




















          • OK, I forgot that the Mobius strip is just the real projective space minus a disk, my bad. I guess my general curiosity lies in whether order parameter space homeomorphic to each classified closed surface (sphere, n-connected torus, m-connected RP, etc) can correspond to physical systems. What I learned from J. Sethna's books only include examples of the simplest spaces.
            – Bohan Lu
            10 mins ago










          • Sir, I also looked at your website and it was really cool! Your research interest aligns quite well with mine.
            – Bohan Lu
            5 mins ago














          up vote
          4
          down vote



          accepted










          Yes.



          For example, in a nematic phase of matter, the order breaks rotation symmetry in that it fixes an axis, but it does not prefer/fix a direction. The conceptual picture of is of little rods. Hence, antipodal points along the sphere are identified, such that the order parameter space is $S^2/ pm 1 cong mathbb RP^2$, the projective plane! This manifold is indeed non-orientable.



          In fact, see the top answer on this page for a nice explanation and a bunch of good references: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/45832/are-there-examples-of-non-orientable-manifolds-in-nature






          share|cite|improve this answer




















          • OK, I forgot that the Mobius strip is just the real projective space minus a disk, my bad. I guess my general curiosity lies in whether order parameter space homeomorphic to each classified closed surface (sphere, n-connected torus, m-connected RP, etc) can correspond to physical systems. What I learned from J. Sethna's books only include examples of the simplest spaces.
            – Bohan Lu
            10 mins ago










          • Sir, I also looked at your website and it was really cool! Your research interest aligns quite well with mine.
            – Bohan Lu
            5 mins ago












          up vote
          4
          down vote



          accepted







          up vote
          4
          down vote



          accepted






          Yes.



          For example, in a nematic phase of matter, the order breaks rotation symmetry in that it fixes an axis, but it does not prefer/fix a direction. The conceptual picture of is of little rods. Hence, antipodal points along the sphere are identified, such that the order parameter space is $S^2/ pm 1 cong mathbb RP^2$, the projective plane! This manifold is indeed non-orientable.



          In fact, see the top answer on this page for a nice explanation and a bunch of good references: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/45832/are-there-examples-of-non-orientable-manifolds-in-nature






          share|cite|improve this answer












          Yes.



          For example, in a nematic phase of matter, the order breaks rotation symmetry in that it fixes an axis, but it does not prefer/fix a direction. The conceptual picture of is of little rods. Hence, antipodal points along the sphere are identified, such that the order parameter space is $S^2/ pm 1 cong mathbb RP^2$, the projective plane! This manifold is indeed non-orientable.



          In fact, see the top answer on this page for a nice explanation and a bunch of good references: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/45832/are-there-examples-of-non-orientable-manifolds-in-nature







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered 1 hour ago









          Ruben Verresen

          3,5621331




          3,5621331











          • OK, I forgot that the Mobius strip is just the real projective space minus a disk, my bad. I guess my general curiosity lies in whether order parameter space homeomorphic to each classified closed surface (sphere, n-connected torus, m-connected RP, etc) can correspond to physical systems. What I learned from J. Sethna's books only include examples of the simplest spaces.
            – Bohan Lu
            10 mins ago










          • Sir, I also looked at your website and it was really cool! Your research interest aligns quite well with mine.
            – Bohan Lu
            5 mins ago
















          • OK, I forgot that the Mobius strip is just the real projective space minus a disk, my bad. I guess my general curiosity lies in whether order parameter space homeomorphic to each classified closed surface (sphere, n-connected torus, m-connected RP, etc) can correspond to physical systems. What I learned from J. Sethna's books only include examples of the simplest spaces.
            – Bohan Lu
            10 mins ago










          • Sir, I also looked at your website and it was really cool! Your research interest aligns quite well with mine.
            – Bohan Lu
            5 mins ago















          OK, I forgot that the Mobius strip is just the real projective space minus a disk, my bad. I guess my general curiosity lies in whether order parameter space homeomorphic to each classified closed surface (sphere, n-connected torus, m-connected RP, etc) can correspond to physical systems. What I learned from J. Sethna's books only include examples of the simplest spaces.
          – Bohan Lu
          10 mins ago




          OK, I forgot that the Mobius strip is just the real projective space minus a disk, my bad. I guess my general curiosity lies in whether order parameter space homeomorphic to each classified closed surface (sphere, n-connected torus, m-connected RP, etc) can correspond to physical systems. What I learned from J. Sethna's books only include examples of the simplest spaces.
          – Bohan Lu
          10 mins ago












          Sir, I also looked at your website and it was really cool! Your research interest aligns quite well with mine.
          – Bohan Lu
          5 mins ago




          Sir, I also looked at your website and it was really cool! Your research interest aligns quite well with mine.
          – Bohan Lu
          5 mins ago

















           

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