Baby Skyrme Model Research Articles

Sine-Gordon kinks on a domain wall ring

We construct a stable domain wall ring with lump beads on it in a baby Skyrme model with a potential consisting of two terms linear and quadratic in fields.

A gauged baby Skyrme model and a novel BPS bound

The baby Skyrme model is a well-known nonlinear field theory supporting topological solitons in two space dimensions. Its action functional consist of a potential term, a kinetic term quadratic in derivatives (the "nonlinear sigma model term") and the Skyrme term quartic in first derivatives. The limiting case of vanishing sigma model term (the so-called BPS baby Skyrme model) is known to support exact soliton solutions saturating a BPS bound which exists for this model. Further, the BPS model has infinitely many symmetries and conservation laws. Recently it was found that the gauged version of the BPS baby Skyrme model with gauge group U(1) and the usual Maxwell term, too, has a BPS bound and BPS solutions saturating this bound. This BPS bound is determined by a superpotential which has to obey a superpotential equation, in close analogy to the situation in supergravity. Further, the BPS bound and the corresponding BPS solitons only may exist for potentials such that the superpotential equation has a global solution. We also briefly describe some properties of soliton solutions.

Topological duality between vortices and planar Skyrmions in BPS theories with area-preserving diffeomorphism symmetries

The Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) baby Skyrme models are submodels of baby Skyrme models, where the nonlinear sigma model term is suppressed. They have Skyrmion solutions saturating a BPS bound, and the corresponding static energy functional is invariant under area-preserving diffeomorphisms (APDs). Here we show that the solitons in the BPS baby Skyrme model, which carry a nontrivial topological charge ${Q}_{b}\ensuremath{\in}{\ensuremath{\pi}}_{2}({S}^{2})$ (a winding number), are dual to vortices in a BPS vortex model with a topological charge ${Q}_{v}\ensuremath{\in}{\ensuremath{\pi}}_{1}({S}^{1})$ (a vortex number), in the sense that there is a map between the BPS solutions of the two models. The corresponding energy densities of the BPS solutions of the two models are identical. A further consequence of the duality is that the dual BPS vortex models inherit the BPS property and the infinitely many symmetries (APDs) of the BPS baby Skyrme models. Finally, we demonstrate that the same topological duality continues to hold for the $U(1)$ gauged versions of the models.

Nonaxisymmetric baby-Skyrmion branes

We investigate the existence of non axisymmetric solutions in the 6-dimensional baby-Skyrme brane model. The brane is described by a localized solution to the baby-Skyrme model extending in the extra dimensions. Such non symmetric branes have already been constructed in the original 2+1-dimensional baby-Skyrme model in flat space. We generalize this result to the case of gravitating baby-Skyrme and in the context of extradimensions. These non-trivial deformation from the axisymmetric shape appear for higher values of the topological charge, so we consider the cases of $B=3,4$, where $B$ is the topological charge. We solve the coupled system of the Einstein and baby-Skyrme equations by successive over relaxation method. We argue that the result may be a possible resolution for the fermion mass hierarchy puzzle.

Vector BPS baby Skyrme model

We investigate the relation between the BPS baby Skyrme model and its vector meson formulation, where the baby Skyrme term is replaced by a coupling between the topological current $B_\mu$ and the vector meson field $\omega_\mu$. The vector model still possesses infinitely many symmetries leading to infinitely many conserved currents which stand behind its solvability. It turns out that the similarities and differences of the two models depend strongly on the specific form of the potential. We find, for instance, that compactons (which exist in the BPS baby Skyrme model) disappear from the spectrum of solutions of the vector counterpart. Specifically, for the vector model with the old baby Skyrme potential we find that it has compacton solutions only provided that a delta function source term effectively screening the topological charge is inserted at the compacton boundary. For the old baby Skyrme potential squared we find that the vector model supports exponentially localized solitons, like the BPS baby Skyrme model. These solitons, however, saturate a BPS bound which is a nonlinear function of the topological charge and, as a consequence, higher solitons are unstable w.r.t. decay into smaller ones, which is at variance with the more conventional situation (a linear BPS bound and stable solitons) in the BPS baby Skyrme model.

Gauged BPS baby Skyrme model

The baby Skyrme model is a well-known nonlinear field theory supporting topological solitons in two space dimensions. In the limit where the term quadratic in derivatives (the "sigma model term") vanishes some additional structure emerges. The resulting ("extreme" or "restricted" or "BPS") baby Skyrme model has exact soliton solutions saturating a BPS bound which exists for this restricted model. Further, the restricted model has infinitely many symmetries and infinitely many conservation laws. Here we consider the gauged version of the restricted baby Skyrme model with gauge group U(1) and the usual Maxwell term for the gauge field. We find that, again, there exists a BPS bound and BPS solutions saturating this bound. We further find that the whole problem is essentially determined by a new kind of superpotential equation. The BPS bound and the corresponding BPS solitons only may exist for potentials such that the superpotential equation has a solution which exists globally, i.e., on the whole target space. We also calculate soliton solutions both exactly and numerically, completely confirming our qualitative analytical results.

Localizing modes of massive fermions and a U(1) gauge field in the inflating baby-Skyrmion branes

We consider the six dimensional brane world model, where the brane is described by a localized solution to the baby-Skyrme model extending in the extradimensions. The branes have a cosmological constant modeled by inflating four dimensional slices and we further consider a bulk cosmological constant. We focus on the topological number three solutions and discuss the localization mechanism of the fermions on the above 3-branes. We discuss interpretation of the model in term of quark third generation mass and in terms of the inflation history. We argue that it is possible to track the phases of inflation in our model by suitably choosing the parameters. We further discuss the localization properties of gauge fields on the brane and argue that this is achieved only for specific values of the electromagnetic coupling, providing a quantization to the electric charge.

Supersymmetric extensions of K field theories

We review the recently developed supersymmetric extensions of field theories with non-standard kinetic terms (so-called K field theories) in two an three dimensions. Further, we study the issue of topological defect formation in these supersymmetric theories. Specifically, we find supersymmetric K field theories which support topological kinks in 1+1 dimensions as well as supersymmetric extensions of the baby Skyrme model for arbitrary nonnegative potentials in 2+1 dimensions.

Broken baby Skyrmions

The baby Skyrme model is a (2+1)-dimensional analogue of the Skyrme model, in which baryons are described by topological solitons. We introduce a version of the baby Skyrme model in which the global O (3) symmetry is broken to the dihedral group D N . It is found that the single soliton in this theory is composed of N partons that are topologically confined. The case N =3 is studied in some detail and multi-soliton solutions are computed and related to polyiamonds, which are plane figures composed of equilateral triangles joined by common edges. It is shown that the solitons may be viewed as pieces of a doubly periodic soliton lattice. It is proved, for a general baby Skyrme model on a general torus, that the condition that the energy of a soliton lattice is critical with respect to variations of the torus is equivalent to the field satisfying a virial relation and being, in a precise sense, conformal on average. An alternative model with D 3 symmetry is also introduced, which has an exact explicit soliton lattice solution. Soliton solutions are computed and compared in the two D 3 theories. Some comments are made regarding the extension of these ideas to the Skyrme model.

Peakons andQ-balls in the baby Skyrme model

In this paper we investigate the Q-ball Ansatz in the baby Skyrme model. First, the appearance of peakons, i.e. solutions with extremely large absolute values of the second derivative at maxima, is analyzed. It is argued that such solutions are intrinsic to the baby Skyrme model and do not depend on the detailed form of a potential used in calculations. Next, we concentrate on compact non spinning Q-balls. We show the failure of a small parameter expansion in this case. Finally, we explore the existence and parameter dependence of Q-ball solutions.

N=1supersymmetric extension of the baby Skyrme model

We construct a method to supersymmetrize higher kinetic terms and apply it to the baby Skyrme model. We find that there exist N=1 supersymmetric extensions for baby Skyrme models with arbitrary potential.

Easy plane baby Skyrmions

The baby Skyrme model is studied with a novel choice of potential, $V=1/2 \phi_3^2$. This "easy plane" potential vanishes at the equator of the target two-sphere. Hence, in contrast to previously studied cases, the boundary value of the field breaks the residual SO(2) internal symmetry of the model. Consequently, even the unit charge skyrmion has only discrete symmetry and consists of a bound state of two half lumps. A model of long-range inter-skyrmion forces is developed wherein a unit skyrmion is pictured as a single scalar dipole inducing a massless scalar field tangential to the vacuum manifold. This model has the interesting feature that the two-skyrmion interaction energy depends only on the average orientation of the dipoles relative to the line joining them. Its qualitative predictions are confirmed by numerical simulations. Global energy minimizers of charges B=1,...,14,18,32 are found numerically. Up to charge B=6, the minimizers have 2B half lumps positioned at the vertices of a regular 2B-gon. For charges B >= 7, rectangular or distorted rectangular arrays of 2B half lumps are preferred, as close to square as possible.

Inflating baby-Skyrme branes in six dimensions

We consider a six-dimensional brane world model, where the brane is described by a localized solution to the baby-Skyrme model extending in the extra dimensions. The branes have a cosmological constant modeled by inflating four-dimensional slices, and we further consider a bulk cosmological constant. We construct solutions numerically and present evidence that the solutions cease to exist for large values of the brane cosmological constant in some particular case. Then we study the stability of the model by considering perturbation of the gravitational part (resp. baby Skyrmion) with fixed matter fields (resp. gravitational background). Our results indicate that the perturbation equations do not admit localized solutions for certain type of perturbation. The stability analysis can be alternatively seen as leading to a particle spectrum; we give mass estimations for the baby-Skyrme perturbation and for the graviton.

Compactons and semi-compactons in the extreme baby Skyrme model

The static baby Skyrme model is investigated in the extreme limit where the energy functional contains only the potential and Skyrme terms, but not the Dirichlet energy term. It is shown that the model with potential possesses solutions with extremely unusual localization properties, which we call semi-compactons. These minimize energy in the degree 1 homotopy class, have support contained in a semi-infinite rectangular strip and decay along the length of the strip as x−log x. By gluing together several semi-compactons, it is shown that every homotopy class has linearly stable solutions of arbitrarily high, but quantized, energy. For various other choices of potential, compactons are constructed with support in a closed disc, or in a closed annulus. In the latter case, one can construct higher winding compactons and complicated superpositions in which several closed string-like compactons are nested within one another. The constructions make heavy use of the invariance of the model under area-preserving diffeomorphisms, and of a topological lower energy bound, both of which are established in a general geometric setting. All the solutions presented are classical, that is, they are (at least) twice continuously differentiable and satisfy the Euler–Lagrange equation of the model everywhere.

Investigation of restricted baby Skyrme models

A restriction of the baby Skyrme model consisting of the quartic and potential terms only is investigated in detail for a wide range of potentials. Further, its properties are compared with those of the corresponding full baby Skyrme models. We find that topological (charge) as well as geometrical (nucleus/shell shape) features of baby skyrmions are captured already by the soliton solutions of the restricted model. Further, we find a coincidence between the compact or non-compact nature of solitons in the restricted model, on the one hand, and the existence or non-existence of multi-skyrmions in the full baby Skyrme model, on the other hand.

Compact baby Skyrmions

For the baby Skyrme model with a specific potential, compacton solutions, i.e., configurations with a compact support and parabolic approach to the vacuum, are derived. Specifically, in the nontopological sector, we find spinning $Q$-balls and $Q$-shells, as well as peakons. Moreover, we obtain compact baby skyrmions with nontrivial topological charge. All these solutions may form stable multisoliton configurations provided they are sufficiently separated.

Noncommutative baby Skyrmions

We subject the baby Skyrme model to a Moyal deformation, for unitary or Grassmannian target spaces and without a potential term. In the Abelian case, the radial BPS configurations of the ordinary noncommutative sigma model also solve the baby Skyrme equation of motion. This gives a class of exact analytic noncommutative baby Skyrmions, which have a singular commutative limit but are stable against scaling due to the noncommutativity. We compute their energies, investigate their stability and determine the asymptotic two-Skyrmion interaction.

Baby Skyrmions stabilized by vector mesons

Recent results suggest that multi-Skyrmions stabilized by {omega} mesons have very similar properties to those stabilized by the Skyrme term. In this paper we present the results of a detailed numerical investigation of a (2+1)-dimensional analogue of this situation. Namely, we compute solitons in an O(3) {sigma} model coupled to a massive vector meson and compare the results to baby Skyrmions, which are solitons in an O(3) {sigma} model including a Skyrme term. We find that multisolitons in the vector meson model are surprisingly similar to those in the baby Skyrme model, and we explain this correspondence using a simple derivative expansion.

Scattering of a two skyrmion configuration on potential holes or barriers in a model Landau–Lifshitz equation

The dynamics of a baby-skyrmion configuration, in a model Landau–Lifshitz equation, was studied in the presence of various potential obstructions. The baby-skyrmion configuration was constructed from two Q = 1 hedgehog solutions to the baby-skyrme model in (2+1) dimensions. The potential obstructions were created by introducing a new term into the Lagrangian which resulted in a localized inhomogeneity in the potential terms' coefficient. In the barrier system, the normal circular path was deformed as the skyrmions traversed the barrier. During the same period, it was seen that the skyrmions sped up as they went over the barrier. For critical values of the barrier height and width, the skyrmions were no longer bound and were free to separate. In the case of a potential hole, the baby skyrmions no longer formed a bound state and moved asymptotically along the axis of the hole. It is shown how to modify the definition of the angular momentum to include the effects of the obstructions, so that it is conserved.

Spontaneous breaking of rotational symmetry in rotating solitons: A toy model of excited nucleons with high angular momentum

We study the phenomenon of spontaneous breaking of rotational symmetry in the rotating solutions of two types of baby Skyrme models. In the first, the domain is a two-sphere, and in the other, the Skyrmions are confined to the interior of a unit disk. Numerical full-field results show that when the angular momentum of the Skyrmions increases above a certain critical value, the rotational symmetry of the solutions is broken and the minimal-energy configurations become less symmetric. We propose a possible mechanism as to why spontaneous breaking of rotational symmetry is present in the rotating solutions of these models, while it is not observed in the ``usual'' baby Skyrme model. Our results might be relevant for a qualitative understanding of the nonspherical deformation of excited nucleons with high orbital angular momentum.