The Casimir energy of skyrmions in the 2+1-dimensional O(3)-model

One-loop quantum corrections to the classical vortices in 2+1 dimensional O(3)-models are evaluated. Skyrme and Zeeman potential terms are used to stabilize the size of topological solitons. Contributions from zero modes, bound-states and scattering phase-shifts are calculated for vortices with winding index n=1 and n=2. For both cases the S-matrix shows a pronounced series of resonances for magnon-vortex scattering in analogy to the well-established baryon resonances in hadron physics, while vortices with n>2 are already classically unstable against decay. The quantum corrections destabilize the classically bound n=2 configuration. Approximate independence of the results with respect to changes in the renormalization scale is demonstrated.Comment: 24 pages LaTeX, 14 figure

Skyrmions and Bags in the 2D-O(3) model

Localized static solutions of the 2D-O(3) model are investigated in a representation with the 3-vector field $\vec Phi$ split into the unit vector $\hat Phi$ and the modulus $\Phi$. As in the nonlinear version of the model this allows for the definition of a topological winding number $B$, and for the separation of the complete configuration space into distinct $B$-sectors. For small values of the $\Phi^4$-coupling strength the stable energy minima in these sectors are characterized by bag formation in the modulus field which in the standard cartesian representation of the linear O(3) model would be unstable towards decay into the trivial B=0 vacuum. Stabilized by $B$-conservation they exhibit a surprising variety of very appealing features for multiply charged systems. With the total charge bound into one common deep bag opposite ways of distributing the topological charge density inside the bag can be realized: Pointlike structures which retain the individuality of single constituents (or doubly charged pairs), or a deconfined charge density spread uniformly throughout the interior of the bag. It is suggested that this extension supplies a crucial link to overcome the unsatisfactory existing mismatch between multiskyrmion configurations and nuclear structure.Comment: 13 pages, 15 figure

Dynamics of topological solitons in two-dimensional ferromagnets

Dynamical topological solitons are studied in classical two-dimensional Heisenberg easy-axis ferromagnets. The properties of such solitons are treated both analytically in the continuum limit and numerically by spin dynamics simulations of the discrete system. Excitation of internal mode causes orbital motion. This is confirmed by simulations.Comment: LaTeX, 15 pages, 6 figure

Resonances, and mechanisms of Theta-production

After explaining necessity of exotic hadrons, we discuss mechanisms which could determine production of the exotic Theta-baryon. A possible important role of resonances (producing the Theta in real or virtual decays) is emphasized for various processes. Several experimental directions for studies of such resonances, and the Theta itself, are suggested. We briefly discuss also recent negative results on the Theta-baryon.Comment: 6 page

Strangeness, charm and bottom in a chiral quark-meson model

In this paper we investigate an SU(3) extension of the chiral quark-meson model. The spectra of baryons with strangeness, charm and bottom are considered within a "rigid oscillator" version of this model. The similarity between the quark part of the Lagrangian in the model and the Wess-Zumino term in the Skyrme model is noted. The binding energies of baryonic systems with baryon number B=2 and 3 possessing strangeness or heavy flavor are estimated. The results obtained are in good qualitative agreement with those obtained previously in the topological soliton (Skyrme) model.Comment: 12 pages, no figures. Journal ref: submitted to Nucl.Phys.

The fate of the homoctenids (Tentaculitoidea) during the Frasnian-Famennian mass extinction (Late Devonian)

The homoctenids (Tentaculitoidea) are small, conical-shelled marine animals which are amongst the most abundant and widespread of all Late Devonian fossils. They were a principal casualty of the Frasnian-Famennian (F-F, Late Devonian) mass extinction, and thus provide an insight into the extinction dynamics. Despite their abundance during the Late Devonian, they have been largely neglected by extinction studies. A number of Frasnian-Famennian boundary sections have been studied, in Poland, Germany, France, and the United States. These sections have yielded homoctenids, which allow precise recognition of the timing of the mass extinction. It is clear that the homoctenids almost disappear from the fossil record during the latest Frasnian “Upper Kellwasser Event”. The coincident extinction of this pelagic group, and the widespread development of intense marine anoxia within the water column, provides a causal link between anoxia and the F-F extinction. Most notable is the sudden demise of a group, which had been present in rock-forming densities, during this anoxic event. One new species, belonging to Homoctenus is described, but is not formally named here

Skyrmions and pentaquarks in the quark-hadron continuity perspective

We argue that in the color-flavor-locking (CFL) superconducting phase classical soliton solutions can exist, whose excitations should be interpreted as states formed by a quark (or an antiquark) and condensed diquarks. This finding extends the picture of quark-hadron-continuity showing the existence of a region, intermediate between the CFL and the hypernuclear phase, where chiral solitons and Nambu Goldstone bosons can exist. We derive an expression of the soliton mass in terms of the QCD coupling, $g_s$, and the Nambu Goldstone boson parameters. From the quark-hadron continuity we can draw an argument in favor of the interpretation of the $\Theta^+(1540)$ particle in terms of a strange antiquark and two highly correlated $ud$ pairs (diquarks).Comment: 12 pages, LaTex. 2 figures. Final version for Physics Letters

Hot Nucleons in Chiral Soliton Models

Chiral lagrangians as effective field theories of QCD are most suitable for the study of nucleons in a hot pion gas because they contain pions and also baryons as solitons of the same action. The semiclassical treatment of the soliton solutions must be augmented by pionic fluctuations which requires renormalisation to 1-loop, and finite temperatures do not introduce new ultraviolet divergencies and may easily be considered. Alternatively, a renormalisation scheme based on the renormalisation group equation at finite temperature comprises and extends the rigorous results of chiral perturbation theory and renders the low energy constants temperature-dependent which allows the construction of temperature-dependent solitons below the critical temperature. The temperature-dependence of the baryon energy and the pion-nucleon coupling is studied. There is no simple scaling law for the temperature-dependence of these quantities.Comment: 17 pages (RevTeX), 5 figure

How to measure the parity of the Θ+\Theta^+ in p⃗p⃗\vec p\vec p collisions

Triggered by a recent paper by Thomas, Hicks and Hosaka, we investigate which observables can be used to determine the parity of the $\Theta^+$ from the reaction $\vec p\vec p \to \Sigma^+\Theta^+$ near its production threshold. In particular, we show that the sign of the spin correlation coefficient $A_{xx}$ for small excess energies yields the negative of the parity of the $\Theta^+$. The argument relies solely on the Pauli principle and parity conservation and is therefore model--independent.Comment: References completed, discussion on possible influence of background added; conclusions unchange