Objective
Various models encountered in mathematical physics possess special solutions called solitary waves, which preserve their shape as
time passes. In the case of dispersive models, small perturbations of the field tend to spread, so that their amplitude decays. The
Soliton Resolution Conjecture predicts that, generically, a solution of a nonlinear dispersive partial differential equation decomposes
into a superposition of solitary waves and a perturbation of small amplitude called radiation.
Our study will focus on topological solitons appearing in models motivated by Quantum Field Theory: kinks in the phi4 theory and
rational maps in the O(3) sigma model. We expect that the developed techniques will have applications in the study of other
topological solitons like vortices, monopoles, Skyrmions and instantons.
Our general ultimate objective goes beyond the Soliton Resolution, and consists in obtaining an asymptotic description in infinite
time, in both time directions, of solutions of the considered model. Such a description should be correct at least at main order, and
reflect interesting features of the problem, which are the soliton-soliton interactions and soliton-radiation interactions.
We pursue this general goal in various concrete situations, namely: the problem of unique continuation after blow-up for the
equivariant wave maps equation, the collision problem for the phi4 equation, the study of pure multi-solitons in the regime of strong
interaction, and the multi-soliton uniqueness and stability problem. Their solution requires a mixture of non-perturbative and perturbative
techniques. While the former rely heavily on the concrete model, the latter will be applicable to any dispersive equation having
solitary waves.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsHost institution
75794 Paris
France