Non-topological solitons and quasi-solitons

TL;DR

This paper reviews non-topological solitons like Q-balls and oscillons, discussing their properties, dynamics, and roles in cosmology and particle physics, highlighting recent developments and applications.

Contribution

It provides an updated comprehensive overview of non-topological solitons and quasi-solitons, emphasizing their significance in theoretical physics and cosmology.

Findings

Q-balls arise in nonlinear field theories with attractive interactions.

Oscillons are long-lived quasi-solitons without internal symmetries.

These solitons have important implications for early-universe cosmology.

Abstract

Solitons in relativistic field theories are not necessarily topologically charged. In particular, non-topological solitons -- known as Q-balls -- arise naturally in nonlinear field theories endowed with attractive interactions and internal symmetries. Even without stabilizing internal symmetries, quasi-solitons known as oscillons, which are long-lived, can also exist. Both Q-balls and oscillons have significant applications in cosmology and particle physics. This review is an updated account of the intriguing properties and dynamics of these non-topological solitons and quasi-solitons, as well as their important roles in early-universe scenarios and particle physics models.