Some properties of 2π Néel walls and Néel points in the XY model

Abstract

The properties of two types of topological defects in the 2D classical XY model, Néel lines and Néel points, have been investigated via numerical simulation. The effect of a symmetry-breaking magnetic field has been considered. For cyclic boundary conditions a uniform array of line defects can be stabilized. Along a line defect, point defects can be introduced as spatial changes of chirality of the wall. These point defects consist of pairs of bound vortices of the same sign. When several such point defects are introduced on a given line defect, they also tend toward uniform spacing.