String-net

In condensed matter physics, a string-net is an extended object whose collective behavior has been proposed as a physical explanation for topological order by Michael Levin and Xiao-Gang Wen. A particular string-net model may involve only closed loops; or networks of oriented, labeled strings obeying branching rules given by some gauge group; or still more general networks. For strings labeled by the positive integers, string-nets are the spin networks studied in loop quantum gravity.

Herbertsmithite may be the only known example of String-net matter.

References

• Levin, Michael A. and Xiao-Gang Wen (2005). "String-net condensation: A physical mechanism for topological phases". Physical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics. 71 (045110): 21. doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.71.045110. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |day= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)