Classical backgrounds and scattering for affine Toda theory on a half-line

We find classical solutions to the simply-laced affine Toda equations which satisfy integrable boundary conditions using solitons which are analytically continued from imaginary coupling theories. Both static `vacuum' configurations and the time-dependent perturbations about them which correspond to classical vacua and particle scattering solutions respectively are considered. A large class of classical scattering matrices are calculated and found to satisfy the reflection bootstrap equation.Comment: Latex document, 28 pages, 3 figures include

Purely transmitting integrable defects

Some aspects of integrable field theories possessing purely transmitting defects are described. The main example is the sine-Gordon model and several striking features of a classical field theory containing one or more defects are pointed out. Similar features appearing in the associated quantum field theory are also reviewed briefly.Comment: 6 pages, to appear in Proceedings of the XVth International Colloquium on Integrable Systems and Quantum Symmetries, Prague, June 200

Semiclassical analysis of defect sine-Gordon theory

The classical sine-Gordon model is a two-dimensional integrable field theory, with particle like solutions the so-called solitons. Using its integrability one can define its quantum version without the process of canonical quantization. This bootstrap method uses the fundamental propterties of the model and its quantum features in order to restrict the structure of the scattering matrix as far as possible. The classical model can be extended with integrable discontinuities, purely transmitting jump-defects. Then the quantum version of the extended model can be determined via the bootstrap method again. But the outcoming quantum theory contains the so-called CDD uncertainity. The aim of this article is to carry throw the semiclassical approximation in both the classical and the quantum side of the defect sine-Gordon theory. The CDD ambiguity can be restricted by comparing the two results. The relation between the classical and quantum parameters as well as the resoncances appeared in the spectrum are other objectives

On the classification of quantum W-algebras

In this paper we consider the structure of general quantum W-algebras. We introduce the notions of deformability, positive-definiteness, and reductivity of a W-algebra. We show that one can associate a reductive finite Lie algebra to each reductive W-algebra. The finite Lie algebra is also endowed with a preferred $sl(2)$ subalgebra, which gives the conformal weights of the W-algebra. We extend this to cover W-algebras containing both bosonic and fermionic fields, and illustrate our ideas with the Poisson bracket algebras of generalised Drinfeld-Sokolov Hamiltonian systems. We then discuss the possibilities of classifying deformable W-algebras which fall outside this class in the context of automorphisms of Lie algebras. In conclusion we list the cases in which the W-algebra has no weight one fields, and further, those in which it has only one weight two field.Comment: 28 page

Parafermionic Representation of the Affine sl(2/1)sl(2/1) Algebra at Fractional Level

The four fermionic currents of the affine superalgebra $sl(2/1)$ at fractional level $k=1/u-1$, u positive integer, are shown to be realised in terms of a free scalar field, an $sl(2)$ doublet field and a primary field of the parafermionic algebra $Z_{u-1}$.Comment: 5 pages, Latex 2

Multi-dimensional tunnelling and complex momentum

The problem of modeling tunneling phenomena in more than one dimension is examined. It is found that existing techniques are inadequate in a wide class of situations, due to their inability to deal with concurrent classical motion. The generalization of these methods to allow for complex momenta is shown, and improved techniques are demonstrated with a selection of illustrative examples. Possible applications are presented

Tunnelling from non-localised initial states

An approach for calculating tunneling amplitudes from a nonlocalized initial state is presented. Generalizing the matching conditions and equations of motion to allow for complex momentum permits a description of tunneling in the presence of so-called classical motion. Possible applications of the method are presented

Soliton-preserving boundary condition in affine Toda field theories

We give a new integrable boundary condition in affine Toda theory which is soliton-preserving in the sense that a soliton hitting the boundary is reflected as a soliton. All previously known integrable boundary conditions forced a soliton to be converted into an antisoliton upon reflection. We prove integrability of our boundary condition using a generalization of Sklyanin's formalism.Comment: 9 page

On a systematic approach to defects in classical integrable field theories

We present an inverse scattering approach to defects in classical integrable field theories. Integrability is proved systematically by constructing the generating function of the infinite set of modified integrals of motion. The contribution of the defect to all orders is explicitely identified in terms of a defect matrix. The underlying geometric picture is that those defects correspond to Backlund transformations localized at a given point. A classification of defect matrices as well as the corresponding defect conditions is performed. The method is applied to a collection of well-known integrable models and previous results are recovered (and extended) directly as special cases. Finally, a brief discussion of the classical $r$-matrix approach in this context shows the relation to inhomogeneous lattice models and the need to resort to lattice regularizations of integrable field theories with defects.Comment: 27 pages, no figures. Final version accepted for publication. References added and section 5 amende