Solitons show up in many fields of physics from the monopoles and models of nucleons in strong interactions, to conducting plastics and novel memory storage devices. However, solitons are largely understood using classical physics.  It is widely believed that quantum mechanics qualitatively changes some of their properties, for example causing some to quickly decay.  We will describe a new method which allows for an efficient, reliable and complete treatment of solitons in quantum physics.

In the first lecture, classical solitons will be introduced. We will give a brief introduction to different kinds of solitons: kinks, vortices, monopoles and domain walls.  We will describe them using classical field theory and note some of their applications in classical and quantum physics.

This event is supported by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange,  grant no. BPI/STE/2021/1/00034/U/00001