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Evidence for a topological transition in nematic-to-isotropic phase transition in two dimensions

A. I. Farinas Sanchez·R. Paredes V.·B. Berche
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Abstract

The nematic-to-isotropic orientational phase transition, or equivalently the $RP^2$ model, is considered in two dimensions and the question of the nature of the phase transition is addressed. Using powerful conformal techniques adapted to the investigation of critical properties of two-dimensional scale-invariant systems, we report strong evidences for a transition governed by topological defects analogous to the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in two-dimensional XY model.

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A. I. Farinas Sanchez, R. Paredes V., B. Berche. 2003-02-03. Evidence for a topological transition in nematic-to-isotropic phase transition in two dimensions. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0375-9601(03)00060-4

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