arXiv · hep-ph/0110103
Thermal and Quantum Fluctuations around Domain Walls
Abstract
We compute thermal and quantum fluctuations in the background of a domain wall in a scalar field theory at finite temperature using the exact scalar propagator in the subspace orthogonal to the wall's translational mode. The propagator makes it possible to calculate terms of any order in the semiclassical expansion of the partition function of the system. The leading term in the expansion corresponds to the fluctuation determinant, which we compute for arbitrary temperature in space dimensions 1,2, and 3. Our results may be applied to the description of thermal scalar propagation in the presence of soliton defects (in polymers, magnetic materials, etc.) and interfaces which are characterized by kinklike profiles. They lead to predictions as to how classical free energies, surface tensions, and interface profiles are modified by fluctuations, allowing for comparison with both numerical and experimental data. They can also be used to estimate transition temperatures. Furthermore, the simple analytic form of the propagator may simplify existing calculations, and allow for more direct comparisons with data from scattering experiments.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Carlos A. A. de Carvalho. 2002-08-13. Thermal and Quantum Fluctuations around Domain Walls. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.65.065021%2010.1103%2Fphysrevd.66.049901
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.