Revisiting the topological classification of defects in crystals

Abstract

A general theory of topological classification of defects is introduced. We illustrate the application of tools from algebraic topology, including homotopy and cohomology groups, to classify defects including several explicit calculations for crystals in $\mathbb{R}^2$, $S^2$, 2-dimensional cylinder, 2-dimensional annulus, and 2-tori. A set of physically motivated assumptions is formulated in order to justify the classification process and also to expose certain inherent inconsistencies in the considered methodology, particularly for crystal lattices.