Phase Transitions in the Early Universe and Defect Formation

Abstract

In the first one of these two lectures, I give an introductory review of phase transitions in finite temperature field theories. I highlight the differences between theories with global and local symmetries, and the similarities between cosmological phase transitions and phase transitions in superconductors. In the second one, I review the theory of defect formation in finite temperature phase transitions, emphasising the differences between systems with broken global and local symmetries. These same principles apply to relativistic and condensed matter systems alike.