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Questions tagged [solitons]

Solitons are self-stabilizing solitary wave packets maintaining their shape propagating at a constant velocity. They are caused by a balance of nonlinear and dispersive (where the speed of the waves varies with frequency) effects in the medium.

Solitons are self-stabilizing solitary wave packets maintaining their shape propagating at a constant velocity. They are caused by a balance of nonlinear and dispersive (where the speed of the waves varies with frequency) effects in the medium.

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$\phi^4$ theory kinks as fermions?

In 1+1 dimensions there is duality between models of fermions and bosons called bosonization (or fermionization). For instance the sine-Gordon theory $$\mathcal{L}= \frac{1}{2}\partial_\mu \phi \partial^\mu \phi + \frac{\alpha}{\beta^2}\cos \beta…
octonion
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Causes of hexagonal shape of Saturn's jet stream

NASA has just shown a more detailed picture of the hexagonal vortex/storm on Saturn: http://www.ibtimes.com/nasa-releases-images-saturns-hexagon-mega-storm-may-have-been-swirling-centuries-1496218 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_hexagon Is…
Luboš Motl
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Soliton Moduli Spaces and Homotopy Theory

The four-dimensional $SU(N)$ Yang-Mills Lagrangian is given by $$\mathcal{L}=\frac{1}{2e^2}\mathrm{Tr}F_{\mu\nu}F^{\mu\nu}$$ and gives rise to the Euclidean equations of motion $\mathcal{D}_\mu F^{\mu\nu}=0$ with covariant derivative…
JamalS
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Does the existence of Higgs imply the existence of Magnetic Monopoles?

I am aware that in theories with spontaneous symmetry breaking, Magnetic Monopoles can exist as topological solitons. Can the same be done with the Standard Model gauge group. I am familiar with the contents of 't Hooft's paper Magnetic Monopoles in…
Prathyush
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Will tsunami waves travel forever if there was no land?

If there was no land for tsunami waves to collide with, can the waves travel around the globe for forever?
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Could this model have soliton solutions?

We consider a theory described by the Lagrangian, $$\mathcal{L}=i\bar{\Psi}\gamma^\mu\partial_\mu\Psi-m\bar{\Psi}\Psi+\frac{1}{2}g(\bar{\Psi}\Psi)^2$$ The corresponding field equations are, $$(i\gamma^\mu\partial_\mu-m+g\bar{\Psi}\Psi)\Psi=0$$ Could…
Anthonny
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Magnetic field lines and knots

As I was reading the book The Trouble With Physics, I encountered a small paragraph which seemed bit confusing. The paragraph goes as follows: Picture field lines, like the lines of magnetic field running from the north to south pole of a magnet.…
Four Seasons
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Explanation of the waves on the water planet in the movie Interstellar?

We will ignore some of the more obvious issues with the movie and assume all other things are consistent to have fun with some of these questions. Simple [hopefully] Pre-questions: 1) If the water is only a meter or so deep, then how can there be…
honeste_vivere
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No monopoles in the Weinberg-Salam model

I'm reading Chapter 10.4 on the 't Hooft-Polyakov monopoles in Ryder's Quantum Field Theory. On page 412 he explains why magnetic monopoles cannot appear in the Weinberg-Salam model. I'm I right by saying that he shows that the electromagnetic gauge…
Anne O'Nyme
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What is the definition of soliton?

What is the definition of soliton? I've encountered this name in different situations like when the topic discussed is about QFT, fluid dynamics or optics, but I cannot find a general definition. I've understood it's a solution of a non-linear wave…
skdys
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Erik Lentz's faster-than-light soliton

It's well known that, in relativity, if you can go faster than light, you can go backwards in time and create a paradox. Also, attempts to create "warp-drive" space-times in which something moves faster than light (the best known is the Alcubierre…
Mitchell Porter
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How do instantons look in real time/spacetime?

Instantons, as I understand it, are mathematical constructions in Euclidean spacetime. Does it imply that instantons do not exist in real spacetime or the instanton tunneling effects does not have observable consequences in Minkowsian spacetime? How…
SRS
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Are QFT solitons expected to represent standard model particles? Or strings?

Is work on solitons in QFT's focused on finding solutions that could represent the fundamental particles of the Standard Model, or is the work focused on finding particles Beyond The Standard Model? If the work is primarily BTSM, is it still…
user1247
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KdV suggests a connection between waves in shallow water and the potential in the Schrödinger equation. What is the intuitive explanation?

The KdV equation $$v_t+\frac{1}{4}v_{xxx}-\frac{3}{2}vv_x=0$$ was originally invented to model waves in shallow water. However, it is well known that it also has applications in quantum mechanics. In particular, if we consider the Schrödinger…
Darren Ong
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Non-topological solitons in condensed matter physics

As I know most well-known soliton solutions in condensed matter physics are topological ones: kinks, domain walls etc. In field theory there are several examples on non-topological solitons: Q-balls, oscillons (as long-lived excitations), chiral…
newt
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