Topological Solitons

Topological solitons occur in many nonlinear classical field theories. They are stable, particle-like objects, with finite mass and a smooth structure. Examples are monopoles and Skyrmions, Ginzburg-Landau vortices and sigma-model lumps, and Yang-Mills instantons. This book is a comprehensive survey of static topological solitons and their dynamical interactions. Particular emphasis is placed on the solitons which satisfy first-order Bogomolny equations. For these, the soliton dynamics can be investigated by finding the geodesics on the moduli space of static multi-soliton solutions. Remarkable scattering processes can be understood this way. The book starts with an introduction to classical field theory, and a survey of several mathematical techniques useful for understanding many types of topological soliton. Subsequent chapters explore key examples of solitons in one, two, three and four dimensions. The final chapter discusses the unstable sphaleron solutions which exist in several field theories.

An introduction to integrable and non-integrable scalar field models, with topological and non-topological soliton solutions. Focusing on both topological and non-topological solitons, this book brings together discussion of solitary waves and construction of soliton solutions and provides a discussion of solitons using simple model examples.

Solitons were discovered by John Scott Russel in 1834, and have interested scientists and mathematicians ever since. They have been the subject of a large body of research in a wide variety of fields of physics and mathematics, not to mention engineering and other branches of science such as biology. This volume comprises the written versions of the talks presented at a workshop held at Queen's University in 1997, an interdisciplinary meeting wherein top researchers from many fields could meet, interact, and exchange ideas. Topics covered include mathematical and numerical aspects of solitons, as well as applications of solitons to nuclear and particle physics, cosmology, and condensed-matter physics. The book should be of interest to researchers in any field in which solitons are encountered.

Approach your problems from the It isn't that they can't see the end and begin with the answers. solution. It is that they can't Then one day, perhaps you will see the problem. find the final question. G.K. Chesterton. The Scandal of 'The Hermit Clad in Crane Father Brown 'The Point of a Pin'. Feathers' in R. van Gulik's The Chinese Maze Murders. Growing specialization and diversification have brought a host of mono graphs and textbooks on increasingly topics. However, the "tree" of knowledge of mathematics and related fields does not grow only by putting forth new branches. It also happens, quite often in fact, that branches which were thought to be completely disparate are suddenly seen to be related. Further, the kind and level of sophistication of mathematics applied in various sciences has changed drastically in recent years: measure theory is used (non-trivially) in regional and theoretical economics; algebraic geometry interacts with physics; the Minkowsky lemma, coding theory and the structure of water meet one another in packing and covering theory; quantum fields, crystal defects and mathematical pro gramming profit from homotopy theory; Lie algebras are relevant to filtering; and prediction and electric engineering can use Stein spaces. And in addition to this there are such new emerging subdisciplines as "complete integrable systems", "chaos, synergetics and large-scale order", which are almost impossible to fit into the existing classifica tion schemes. The draw upon widely different sections of mathematics.

Application of the concepts and methods of topology and geometry have led to a deeper understanding of many crucial aspects in condensed matter physics, cosmology, gravity and particle physics. This book can be considered an advanced textbook on modern applications and recent developments in these fields of physical research. Written as a set of largely self-contained extensive lectures, the book gives an introduction to topological concepts in gauge theories, BRST quantization, chiral anomalies, supersymmetric solitons and noncommutative geometry. It will be of benefit to postgraduate students, educating newcomers to the field and lecturers looking for advanced material.

This book provides an up-to-date overview of mathematical theories and research results on solitons, presenting related mathematical methods and applications as well as numerical experiments. Different types of soliton equations are covered along with their dynamical behaviors and applications from physics, making the book an essential reference for researchers and graduate students in applied mathematics and physics. Contents Introduction Inverse scattering transform Asymptotic behavior to initial value problems for some integrable evolution nonlinear equations Interaction of solitons and its asymptotic properties Hirota method Bäcklund transformations and the infinitely many conservation laws Multi-dimensional solitons and their stability Numerical computation methods for some nonlinear evolution equations The geometric theory of solitons Global existence and blow up for the nonlinear evolution equations The soliton movements of elementary particles in nonlinear quantum field The theory of soliton movement of superconductive features The soliton movements in condensed state systemsontents

This is the most up-to-date book on solitons and is divided into two parts. Part 1: Detailed introductory lectures on different aspects of solitons plus lectures on the mathematical aspects on this subject. Part 2: Is a collection of reprints on mathematical theories of solitons, solitons in field theory, solitons as particles and their properties, especially topological and physical properties. This book is aimed at a wide audience of physicists and mathematicians. It is an ideal reference book for young researchers and graduate students.