Sphalerons in the Skyrme model

Jun, 2004
17 pages
Published in:
  • J.Phys.A 37 (2004) 9037
e-Print:

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Abstract:
Numerical methods are used to compute sphaleron solutions of the Skyrme model. These solutions have topological charge zero and are axially symmetric, consisting of an axial charge n Skyrmion and an axial charge -n antiSkyrmion (with n greater than one), balanced in unstable equilibrium. The energy is slightly less than twice the energy of the axially symmetric charge n Skyrmion. A similar configuration with n=1 does not produce a sphaleron solution, and this difference is explained by considering the interaction of asymptotic pion dipole fields. For sphaleron solutions with n greater than four the positions of the Skyrmion and antiSkyrmion merge to form a circle, rather than isolated points, and there are some features in common with Hopf solitons of the Skyrme-Faddeev model.
Note:
  • 17 pages, 6 figures
  • 11.10.Lm
  • Skyrme model
  • sphaleron
  • energy: density
  • Skyrmion: axial
  • numerical calculations