XY Model: Topological Defects & Vortex Annihilation

The 2D XY model — spins free to rotate in a plane — undergoes the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transition. Below Tc, vortex-antivortex pairs are bound by a logarithmic interaction; above Tc they unbind, destroying quasi-long-range order. Watch vortices (winding +1, pink) and antivortices (winding -1, cyan) annihilate as the system cools.

Temperature T: 2.00
Coupling J: 1.0
Detecting vortices...
Colors show spin angle. Pink dots = vortex (+1), cyan = antivortex (−1). Click to inject a vortex pair.