Non-commutative mechanics in mathematical & in condensed matter physics

Abstract

Non-commutative structures were introduced, independently and around the same time, in mathematical and in condensed matter physics (see Table 1). Souriau's construction applied to the two-parameter central extension of the planar Galilei group leads to the ''exotic'' particle, which has non-commuting position coordinates. A Berry-phase argument applied to the Bloch electron yields in turn a semiclassical model that has been used to explain the anomalous/spin/optical Hall effects. The non-commutative parameter is momentum-dependent in this case, and can take the form of a monopole in momentum space.