Volume 4 Number 0308 ISSN 1979-3898

Journal of
Theoretical and Computational
Studies

Soliton and Particle

Hans Jacobus Wospakrik , J. Theor. Comput. Stud. 4 (2005) 0308
Received: January 20nd , 2005; Accepted for publication: February 21st , 2005

Published by
Indonesian Theoretical Physicist Group Indonesian Computational Society
http://www.opi.lipi.go.id/situs/gfti/ http://www.opi.lipi.go.id/situs/mki/
 Journal of Theoretical and Computational Studies
Journal devoted to theoretical study, computational science and its cross-disciplinary studies
URL : http://www.jurnal.lipi.go.id/situs/jtcs/

Editors
A. Purwanto (ITS) J.M. Tuwankotta (ITB)
A. S. Nugroho (BPPT) L.T. Handoko (LIPI)
A. Sopaheluwakan (LabMath) M. Nurhuda (UNIBRAW)
A. Sulaksono (UI) M. Satriawan (UGM)
B. E. Gunara (ITB) P. Nurwantoro (UGM)
B. Tambunan (BPPT) P. W. Premadi (ITB)
F.P. Zen (ITB) R.K. Lestari (ITB)
H. Alatas (IPB) T. Mart (UI)
I.A. Dharmawan (UNPAD) Y. Susilowati (LIPI)
I. Fachrudin (UI) Z. Su’ud (ITB)
Honorary Editors
B.S. Brotosiswojo (ITB) M.O. Tjia (ITB)
M. Barmawi (ITB) P. Anggraita (BATAN)
M.S. Ardisasmita (BATAN) T.H. Liong (ITB)
Guest Editors
H. Zainuddin (UPM) K. Yamamoto (Hiroshima)
T. Morozumi (Hiroshima)

Coverage area
1. Theoretical study : employing mathematical models and abstractions of a particular field in an attempt to explain known or
predicted phenomenon. E.g. : theoretical physics, mathematical physics, biomatter modeling, etc.
2. Computational science : constructing mathematical models, numerical solution techniques and using computers to analyze
and solve natural science, social science and engineering problems. E.g. : numerical simulations, model fitting and data
analysis, optimization, etc.
3. Cross-disciplinary studies : inter-disciplinary studies between theoretical study and computational science, including the
development of computing tools and apparatus. E.g. : macro development of Matlab, paralel processing, grid infrastructure,
etc.
Types of paper
1. Letter : a rapid publication of important new results which its extended version can be published as a regular paper as the
follow-up article. It is assumed to be no longer than 4 pages.
2. Regular : a regular article contains a comprehensive original work.
3. Comment : a short paper that criticizes or corrects a regular paper published previously in this journal. It should be less
than 4 pages.
4. Review : a comprehensive review of a special topic in the areas. Submission of this article is only by an invitation from
Editors.
5. Proceedings : proceedings of carefully selected and reviewed conferences are published as an integral part of the journal.
Paper Submission
The submitted paper should be written in English using the LATEX template provided in the web. All communication thereafter
should be done only through the online submission page of each paper.
Referees
All submitted papers are subject to a refereeing process by an appropriate referee. The editor has an absolute right to make the
final decision on the paper.

Reprints
Electronic reprints including covers for each article and content pages of the volume are available from the journal site for free.

Indonesian Theoretical Physicist Group Indonesian Computational Society

Secretariat Office : c/o Group for Theoretical and Computational Physics, Research Center for Physics -
LIPI, Kompleks Puspiptek Serpong, Tangerang 15310, Indonesia
http://www.opi.lipi.go.id/situs/gfti/ http://www.opi.lipi.go.id/situs/mki/

c 2005 GFTI & MKI

° ISSN 1979-3898
J. Theor. Comput. Stud. Volume 4 (2005) 0308

Soliton and Particle

Hans Jacobus Wospakrik∗
Departemen Fisika, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesha 10, Bandung 40124, Indonesia

Abstract : The basics concepts of soliton is briefly reviewwed from point of view of quantum and classical fields.
The solution of nonlinear wave equation, topological charges, Bogomolny analysis and a proposal of soliton as a particle
are given.
Keywords : soliton, field theory
E-mail : hans@fi.itb.ac.id

Received: January 20nd , 2005; Accepted for publication: February 21st , 2005

1 INTRODUCTION 2 GENERAL

The nonlinear wave equation in (1 + 1) space-time

dimension:
Soliton is a classical solution of nonlinear wave equa- ∂2φ ∂2φ ∂U (φ)
tion which is stable and has a finite total energy. Its − 2 = , (1)
∂x2 ∂t ∂φ
profile of energy density distribution is like a pulse
where U (φ) is a nonlinear (> quadratic) function of
centered in finite space. In the case of (1 + 1) space-
φ. It yields the lagrangian density to be,
time dimension, multisoliton solution can be obtained
analytically using the inverse scattering methods or µ ¶2 µ ¶2
1 ∂φ 1 ∂φ
the Backlund-Darboux transformation. Its collision L(x, t) = − − U (φ) . (2)
2 ∂t 2 ∂x
dynamics is very simple, i.e. it is perfectly elastic,
where there is only a displacement of its phase. Be- The conjugate of momentum density is,
side of that soliton has unlimited conserved dynam- µ ¶
ical quantities. Each soliton is characterized by its ∂φ
Π(x, t) = . (3)
topological invariant which expresses its stability. For ∂t
the sine-Gordon equation, it is shown that either its
energy or Therefore the Hamiltonian density is,
pmass follows the relativistic mass formula:
m = m0 1 − v 2 /c2 .
H(x, t) = Πφ̇ − L
µ ¶2 µ ¶2
In the case of (3 + 1) space-time dimension, it is 1 ∂φ 1 ∂φ
= + + U (φ) . (4)
known that the Skyrme model [1] attempts to ex- 2 ∂t 2 ∂x
plain hadron particle as a soliton from nonlinear (chi-
ral) sigma field of SU(N) internal symmetry group. One can point few differences between Quantum
Here, the baryon number, B, is linked with topologi- Field Theory (QFT) and Classical Field Theory
cal invariant of mapping: S 3 → SU (N ). Within this (CST) as follows,
model, the baryon particle, with odd value of B (nu- • The Particle mass :
cleon, delta, etc) which are fermions, is described as (a) QFT:
an excited solution of sigma field equation or scalar ¯
2 ∂ 2 U (φ) ¯¯
field equation. m = .
∂φ2 ¯φ=0
(b) CST:
Z ∞
M= H(x, t) dx .
∗ Passed away on January 11th , 2005. −∞

c 2005 GFTI & MKI

° 0308-1
H.J. Wospakrik J. Theor. Comput. Stud. 4 (2005) 0308

• The solution of Eq. (1): Those fields produce what one calls as the sponta-
(a) QFT: perturbative, free particle solution. neously symmetry breaking, if one has L which is a
(b) CST: exact solution. functional symmetry:
2π
3 SOLITON φ → −φ and φ → φ + . (14)
λ
One can get the solution for the nonlinear wave equa- If φ, is choosen to equal to one of the φvac values,
tion in Eq. (1) with total energy of, then the symmetry of L is broken. This is the spon-
Z ∞ taneously symmetry breaking of system, which is the
M = H(x, t) dx aspiration of the system itself.
−∞
Z ∞ " µ ¶2 µ ¶2 #
1 ∂φ 1 ∂φ 4 TOPOLOGICAL CHARGES
= + + U (φ) dx
−∞ 2 ∂t 2 ∂x
From the boundary condition in Eq. (9), one can con-
< ∞, (5) clude that,
that is finite.
Under a boundary condition for x → ±∞, one gets, Q ≡ φ+∞ − φ−∞ = constan . (15)

∂φ This can be interpreted as the conserved charge with

→0, (6)
∂t charge density,
∂φ ∂φ
→0, (7) ρ(x, t) = , (16)
∂x ∂x
U (φ) → 0 . (8) i.e., Z ∞
∂φ
These conditions yield Q= dx , (17)
−∞ ∂x
lim φ(x, t) = φ±∞ , (9) One should pay an attention here. The charge con-
x→±∞
servation law, dQ/dt = 0, is determined by the bound-
is finite and static using Eqs. (6) and (7). Further,
ary condition in Eq. (??), and not by the equation of
the last boundary condition (Eq. (8)) makes φ±∞ to
motion. This is the reason why the charge is called as
be the global minimum of U (φ).
the topological charge.
For a special case where E = 0, that is,
In the above examples, one can obtain the topolog-
∂φ ∂φ ical charges as,
=0 , = 0 , U (φ) = 0 , (10)
∂t ∂x µ ¶ µ ¶
µ µ
one obtains, Q = (−1) √ , 0, (+1) √ . (18)
φ = φvac . (11) λ λ

This is called as vacuum solution. for the φ4 Goldstone-Higgs Model. While for the sine-
Here are few known examples for the vacuum soli- Gordon Model, it becomes,
ton, µ ¶
2π
1. Goldstone-Higgs Model φ4 : Q=q , q = 0, ±1, ±2, · · · . (19)
λ
µ ¶2
1 2 µ2
U (φ) = λ φ − 2 , λ>0 From the fact that Q is discrete, it is said that Q is
4 λ quantized.
has two minima, Further, one can define the topological charge cur-
µ µ rent, µ ¶
φ+ = √ and φ− = − √ . (12) µ µν ∂φ ∂φ ∂φ
λ λ J =ε ≡ ,− . (20)
∂xν ∂x ∂t
2. Sine-Gordon Model : Since,
µ2 ∂2φ
U (φ) = 2 (1 − cos φ), λ > 0 εµν =0, (21)
λ ∂xµ ∂xν
has ∞ minima, J µ fulfills the continuity equation (conservation law),
µ ¶
2π ∂J µ
φn = n , n = 0, ±1, ±2, · · · . (13) =0. (22)
λ ∂xµ

0308-2
Soliton and Particle J. Theor. Comput. Stud. 4 (2005) 0308

5 BOGOMOLNY ANALYSIS This solution has the topological charge as,

There is a theorem for the static solution, 2π

Q = φ∞ − φ−∞ = , (31)
λ
Static solution (nonvacuum) is a nontrivial
which describes the solution of one-soliton. On the
fundamental configuration of energy.
other hand, its static energy is,
This theorem can be proved as following. Z φ∞ µ ¶
One can bring the static energy, λφ 8µ
E=B=∓ 2 sin dφ = 2 , (32)
Z ∞ φ−∞ 2 λ
E = H(x, 0) dx Please note that in the nonlinear optics, self-
−∞
Z ∞ " µ ¶2 # induced transparancy (SIT), this solution is called 2π
1 dφ pulse.
= + U (φ) dx . (23)
−∞ 2 dx
6 IS SOLITON A PARTICLE ?
The integrand can be written in a quadratic form plus
something else as follow, The energy-momentum density tensor is,
Z ·µ ¶ ¸2 · ¸
1 ∞
dφ p 1
E = ± 2U (φ) dx T µν = ∂ µ φ∂ ν φ + η µν ∂α φ∂β φ + U (φ) , (33)
2 −∞ dx 2
Z ∞ ·µ ¶ p ¸
dφ with, η µν = diag(−1, 1). Then we can divide its com-
∓ 2U (φ) dx
−∞ dx ponents to obtain the soliton energy,
Z ∞ ·µ ¶ p ¸2
1 dφ Z ∞
= ± 2U (φ) dx + B ,(24)
2 −∞ dx E= T 00 (x, t)dx , (34)
−∞
where, and the soliton momentum,
Z ·µ ¶ ¸ Z ∞
∞
dφ p
B = ∓ 2U (φ) dx P =µ
T µ0 (x, t)dx ≡ (E, P ). (35)
−∞ dx
−∞
Z φ∞ hp i
= ∓ 2U (φ) dφ . (25) P µ is transformed into Lorentz vector as follows,
φ−∞
1. For static soliton :
It proves that B is a topological quantity as expected. Z ∞
Here we make several points as conclusion for this E = M= T 00 (x, 0)dx ,
section. E = B is the fundamental configuration en- Z ∞
−∞
ergy if,
dφ p P = T x0 (x, 0)dx = 0 . (36)
± 2U (φ) = 0 . (26) −∞
dx
In the case of the sine-Gordon equation, 2. For nonstatic solution :
Since the wave equation in Eq. (1) has Lorentz
∂2φ ∂2φ µ2 symmetry, then for soliton which is moving with
− = sin(λφ) . (27)
∂x2 ∂t2 λ the velocity v, it becomes,
Then Eq. (32) becomes, E = γM ,
µ ¶
dφ λφ P = γM v , (37)
= ±2 sin , (28) √
dx 2 where γ = 1/ 1 − v 2 .
which has a solution, The result in Eq. (37) can be calculated from the
4 h i solution of nonstatic one-soliton, that is substituting
φ(x, 0) = arctan eµ(x−ξ0 ) . (29) it into Eqs. (34) and (35). In the case of the sine-
λ
Gordon equation, the solution of nonstatic one-soliton
Its asymptotic values are, is obtained as,
2π 4
φ−∞ = 0, and φ+∞ = . (30) φ1s (x, t) = arctan {exp [µγ(x − vt − ξ0 )]} . (38)
λ λ

0308-3
H.J. Wospakrik J. Theor. Comput. Stud. 4 (2005) 0308

While the solution of two-solitons can be obtained Board of the Journal of Physics Indonesian Physical
from the inverse scattering or Backlund Transforma- Society. This publication is in honour to a great and
tion, long contribution of Dr. H.J. Wospakrik to the theo-
½ ¾ retical physics community in Indonesia.
4 sinh(µγx)
φ2s (x, t) = arctan v . (39) JTCS
λ cosh(µγvt)

REFERENCES

[1] T.H.R. Skyrme (1962).

From definition in Eq. (33), the energy-momentum The other references have not been yet completed
tensor, T µν , satisfies conservation law, by the original author.
∂T µν (x, t) ∂T µ0 (x, t) ∂T µx (x, t)
= 0, or − =0.
∂xν ∂t ∂x
(40)
Therefore, one obtains, Presented at Workshop on Theoretical Physics
2K4, Depok, Indonesia, May 19th , 2004.
Z ∞
∂P µ ∂T µ0 (x, t)
= dx
∂t −∞ ∂t As a part of migration to the J. Theor. Comput.
Z ∞ Stud., this article has been republished from the
∂T µx (x, t)
= dx Physics Journal of IPS vol. C.
−∞ ∂x
= T µx (∞, t) − T µx (∞, t) = 0 . (41)

We can make a conclusion for this section as fol-

lowing. For solution of two-solitons in Eq. (39), its
asymptotic forms are,
2π
φ2s (x, t) = φ1s [γ(x+vt+x0 )]+φ1s [γ(x−vt−x0 )]− .
λ
(42)
for x → +∞, and
2π
φ2s (x, t) = φ1s [γ(x+vt−x0 )]+φ1s [γ(x−vt+x0 )]− .
λ
(43)
for x → −∞. One also obtains from Eq. (35),

P1µ (−∞) + P2µ (−∞) = P1µ (∞) + P2µ (∞) , (44)

and
E = 2M γ . (45)

7 CONCLUSION

A very brief review on soliton and its solutions and en-

ergy momentum tensors are given for several common
cases.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This manuscript is based on the uncomplete draft in

Indonesian language written by H.J. Wospakrik who
passed away on January 11tm , 2005 at Jakarta, In-
donesia due to leuchemia. This manuscript was trans-
lated in English by Miftachul Hadi, one of Wospakrik’s
graduate students at ITB, and edited by the Editorial

0308-4