Geometry and Topology of Low Dimensional Systems: Chern-Simons Theory with Applications (Lecture Notes in Physics Book 1027)

This book introduces the field of topology, a branch of mathematics that explores the properties of geometric space, with a focus on low-dimensional systems. The authors discuss applications in various areas of physics. The first chapters of the book cover the formal aspects of topology, including classes, homotopic groups, metric spaces, and Riemannian and pseudo-Riemannian geometry. These topics are essential for understanding the theoretical concepts and notations used in the next chapters of the book. The applications encompass defects in crystalline structures, space topology, spin statistics, Braid group, Chern-Simons field theory, and 3D gravity, among others.This self-contained book provides all the necessary additional material for both physics and mathematics students. The presentation is enriched with examples and exercises, making it accessible for readers to grasp the concepts with ease. The authors adopt a pedagogical approach, posing many unsolved questions in simple situations that can serve as challenging projects for students. Suitable for a one-semester postgraduate level course, this text is ideal for teaching purposes. Read more