Topological Vortex Defects
Phase winding ±2π in complex order parameter field ψ = |ψ|e^(iφ)
Total winding: 0
A vortex is a point defect where the order parameter phase φ winds by 2π around a circuit.
The topological charge (winding number) is ±1 — positive (counterclockwise) or negative (clockwise).
Opposite charges attract and annihilate; same charges repel. This is the 2D projection of a
vortex line in 3D (Abrikosov vortices in Type-II superconductors, superfluids, cosmic strings).
Click to add a +1 vortex; Shift+click for −1.