50 years of quantum spin liquids

In 1973, Philip Anderson published a paper introducing the resonating valence bond state, which can be recognized in retrospect as a topologically ordered phase of matter - one that cannot be classified in the conventional way according to its patterns of spontaneously broken symmetry. Steven Kivelson and Shivaji Sondhi reflect on the impact of this paper over the past 50 years.

Automated summary

In 1973, Philip Anderson published a paper presenting the resonating valence bond state, which is now recognized as a topologically ordered phase of matter, unable to be classified conventionally based on its patterns of symmetry breaking. Steven Kivelson and Shivaji Sondhi reflect on the impact of this paper over the past 50 years.