Kink dynamics in a system of two coupled scalar fields in two space-time dimensions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the complex scattering behaviors of topological kinks in a two-scalar field theory in 1+1 dimensions, revealing phenomena like charge exchange, bound states, and resonant windows.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of kink interactions with different topological charges, highlighting new scattering phenomena and the conditions under which they occur.

Findings

Discovery of topological charge exchange during scattering.

Identification of kink-antikink bound state formation.

Observation of two-bounce resonant windows in antikink-kink interactions.

Abstract

In this paper we examine the scattering processes among the members of a rich family of kinks which arise in a (1+1)-dimensional relativistic two scalar field theory. These kinks carry two different topological charges that determine the mutual interactions between the basic energy lumps (extended particles) described by these topological defects. Processes like topological charge exchange, kink-antikink bound state formation or kink repulsion emerge depending on the charges of the scattered particles. Two-bounce resonant windows have been found in the antikink-kink scattering processes, but not in the kink-antikink interactions.