Anyons: Quantum Mechanics of Particles with Fractional Statistics

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.