CMSA Member Seminar

Speaker: Farzan Vafa

Title: Phase diagram and confining strings in a minimal model of nematopolar matter

Abstract: We investigate a minimal model of a nematopolar system. We analytically uncover a phase diagram consisting of a locked phase where the polar order and nematic order are locked, and unlocked phases which could be ordered or disordered. In particular, we develop two complementary perspectives on the locked phase: (i) the nematic order induces polar order, (ii) in the locked phase, all 1/2 integral nematic topological charges are confined. In particular, a polar +1 defect fattens from a point along a string with constant tension and confines a pair of nematic +1/2 defects at its ends.