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On the concept of spontaneously broken gauge symmetry in condensed matter physics

  • Part VI. Invited Papers Dedicated To John Stewart Bell
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Abstract

We discuss the concept of spontaneous breaking of gauge symmetry in super-conductors and superfluids and, in particular, the circumstances under which the absolute phase of a superfluid can be physically meaningful and experimentally relevant. We argue that the study of this question pushes us toward the frontiers of what we understand about the quantum measurement process, and underline the need for a new theoretical framework that keeps pace with modern technological capabilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1110 West Green Street, 61801, Urbana, Illinois

    Anthony J. Leggett & Fernando Sols

  2. Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 405 North Mathews Avenue, 61801, Urbana, Illinois

    Fernando Sols

  3. Departamento de Fisica de la Materia Condensada, C-XII, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049, Madrid, Spain

    Fernando Sols

Authors
  1. Anthony J. Leggett
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  2. Fernando Sols
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Leggett, A.J., Sols, F. On the concept of spontaneously broken gauge symmetry in condensed matter physics. Found Phys 21, 353–364 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01883640

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01883640

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