Kinks and Domain Walls: An Introduction to Classical and Quantum SolitonsKinks and domain walls are the simplest kind of solitons and are invaluable for testing various ideas and for learning about non-perturbative aspects of field theories. They are the subject of research in essentially every branch of physics, ranging from condensed matter to cosmology. This book is an introduction to kinks and domain walls and their principal classical and quantum properties. The book examines classical solitons, building from examples in elementary systems to more complicated settings. The formation of solitons in phase transitions, their dynamics and their cosmological consequences are further discussed. The book closes with an explicit description of a few laboratory systems containing solitons. Kinks and Domain Walls includes several state-of-the-art results, some previously unpublished. Each chapter closes with open questions and research problems and will be of great interest to both graduate students and academic researchers in theoretical physics, particle physics, cosmology and condensed matter physics. |
Contents
Classical kinks | 1 |
Kinks in more complicated models | 20 |
Interactions | 35 |
Kinks in quantum field theory | 50 |
Condensates and zero modes on kinks | 73 |
Formation of kinks | 90 |
Dynamics of domain walls | 113 |
Other editions - View all
Kinks and Domain Walls: An Introduction to Classical and Quantum Solitons Tanmay Vachaspati No preview available - 2006 |
Kinks and Domain Walls: An Introduction to Classical and Quantum Solitons Tanmay Vachaspati No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
annihilation bosonic bound boundary conditions breather bubbles catenoid charge classical condensate coordinates cosmological coupling constant defined denoted derivative dimensional Dirac Dirac equation discussed domain wall network energy density energy-momentum tensor equation of motion fermion zero modes fermionic fermionic field field configuration field theory find finite first first-order fixed fluctuations function gauge field gravitational Hamiltonian Hence infinite inflation interactions kink solution kink-antikink Lagrangian lattice leading order magnetic monopoles mass metric non-trivial parameter particle physics perturbation phase transition Phys polyacetylene profile quantized quantum corrections radiation scalar field scattering Section sine-Gordon kink sine-Gordon model solitons space-time spatial dimensions spherical domain wall spinors static solution strings symmetry breaking temperature Thirring model topological trivial Vachaspati vacua vacuum expectation value vacuum manifold Z2 kink Z2 model Z2 symmetry