Some aspects of jump-defects in the quantum sine-Gordon model

Jun, 2005
33 pages
Published in:
  • JHEP 08 (2005) 023
e-Print:
Report number:
  • YITP-05-29

Citations per year

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Abstract:
The classical sine-Gordon model permits integrable discontinuities, or jump-defects, where the conditions relating the fields on either side of a defect are Backlund transformations frozen at the defect location. The purpose of this article is to explore the extent to which this idea may be extended to the quantum sine-Gordon model and how the striking features of the classical model may translate to the quantum version. Assuming a positive defect parameter there are two types of defect. One type, carrying even charge, is stable, but the other type, carrying odd charge, is unstable and may be considered as a resonant bound state of a soliton and a stable defect. The scattering of solitons with defects is considered in detail, as is the scattering of breathers, and in all cases the jump-defect is purely transmitting. One surprising discovery concerns the lightest breather. Its transmission factor is independent of the bulk coupling - a property susceptible to a perturbative check, but not shared with any of the other breathers. It is argued that classical jump-defects can move and some comments are made concerning their quantum scattering matrix.
  • sine-Gordon model
  • dimension: 2
  • field equations: solution
  • defect: topological
  • charge: topological
  • conservation law
  • soliton: scattering