Topological phase in plasma physics

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of topological phases in plasma physics, explaining key theoretical tools and illustrating their physical implications with examples like magnetized cold plasma, and discusses future research directions.

Contribution

It extends the theory of topological phases from condensed matter to plasma physics, providing foundational concepts and illustrative examples.

Findings

Topological phases can exist in plasma systems.

Localized unidirectional modes are predicted at plasma interfaces.

Theoretical framework connects Berry phase concepts to plasma phenomena.

Abstract

Recent discoveries have demonstrated that matter can be distinguished on the basis of topological considerations, giving rise to the concept of topological phase. Introduced originally in condensed matter physics, the physics of topological phase can also be fruitfully applied to plasmas. Here, the theory of topological phase is introduced, including a discussion of Berry phase, Berry connection, Berry curvature, and Chern number. One of the clear physical manifestations of topological phase is the bulk-boundary correspondence, the existence of localized unidirectional modes at the interface between topologically distinct phases. These concepts are illustrated through examples, including the simple magnetized cold plasma. An outlook is provided for future theoretical developments and possible applications.