Particles with fractional statistics interpolating between
bosons and fermions have attracted considerable interest
from mathematical physicists. In recent years it has emerged
that these so-called anyons have rather unexpected
applications, such as the fractional Hall effect, anyonic
excitations in films of liquid helium, and high-temrperature
superconductivity. Furthermore, they are discussed also in
the context of conformal field theories.
This book is a systematic and pedagogical introduction that
considers the subject of anyons from many different points
of view. In particular, the author presents the relation of
anyons to braid groups and Chern-Simons field theory and
devotes three chapters to physical applications. The book,
while being of interest to researchers, primarily addresses
advanced students of mathematics and physics.
to Fractional Statistics in Two Dimensions.- Fractional Statistics in the Chern-Simons Gauge.- Fractional Statistics in the Anyon Gauge.- Non-relativistic Chern-Simons Field Theory.- Anyons in a Magnetic Field.- Statistical Mechanics of Anyons.- Anyons and the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect.- Anyons and Conformal Field Theories.