Meson production from kink-meson scattering

Abstract

In a ($1+1$)-dimensional scalar quantum field theory, we calculate the leading-order probability of meson multiplication, which is the inelastic scattering process: $\mathrm{kink}+\text{meson}$ $\ensuremath{\rightarrow}$ kink $+2$ mesons. We also calculate the differential probability with respect to the final meson momenta and the probability that one or two of the final mesons recoils back towards the source. In the ultrarelativistic limit of the initial meson, the total probability tends to a constant, which we calculate analytically in the ${\ensuremath{\phi}}^{4}$ model. At this order the meson sector conserves energy on its own, while the incoming meson applies a positive pressure to the kink. This is in contrast with the situation in classical field theory, where Romanczukiewicz and collaborators have shown that, in the presence of a reflectionless kink, only meson fusion is allowed, resulting in a negative radiation pressure on the kink.