Scalar fields: from domain walls to nanotubes and fulerenes

TL;DR

This paper reviews topological defects in scalar field models, exploring their structures, interactions, and potential applications in nanostructures and nonlinear systems.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of defect types in multi-scalar field models and introduces novel defect configurations resembling nanotubes and fulerenes.

Findings

Identification of defect structures inside topological defects

Simulation of nanotube and fullerene-like junctions

Potential applications in polymers and optical systems

Abstract

In this work we review some features of topological defects in field theory models for real scalar fields. We investigate topological defects in models involving one and two or more real scalar fields. In models involving a single field we examine two different subclasses of models, which support one or more topological defects. In models involving two or more real scalar fields, we explore the presence of defects that live inside topological defects, and junctions and networks of defects. In the case of junctions of defects we investigte structures that simulate nanotubes and fulerenes. Our investigations may also be used to describe nonlinear properties of polymers, Langmuir films and optical solitons in fibers.