Calculating the tension of domain wall junctions and vortices in generalized Wess-Zumino models

TL;DR

This paper investigates the properties of BPS saturated domain wall junctions and vortices in generalized Wess-Zumino models, revealing negative tension in general and confirming their BPS saturation through analytical and numerical methods.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the tension of these objects is generally negative and confirms their BPS saturation in models with Z_N symmetry using analytical and numerical approaches.

Findings

Tensions are generally negative for these objects.

Junctions are confirmed to be BPS saturated.

Explicit calculations of junction tensions are provided.

Abstract

We study BPS saturated objects with axial geometry (wall junctions, vortices) in generalized Wess-Zumino models. It is observed that the tension of such objects is negative in general (although ``exceptional'' models are possible). We show how an ambiguity in the definition of central charges does not affect physical quantities, and we comment on the stability of the junctions and vortices. We illustrate these issues in two classes of models with Z_N symmetry. On the basis of analytical large N calculations and numerical calculations at finite N, we argue that the domain wall junctions in these models are indeed BPS saturated, and we calculate the junction tensions explicitly.