Fermion Number Fractionization

Abstract

Solitons emerge as non-perturbative solutions of non-linear wave equations in classical and quantum theories. These are non-dispersive and localised packets of energy-remarkable properties for solutions of non-linear differential equations. In presence of such objects, the solutions of Dirac equation lead to the curious phenomenon of "fractional fermion number", a number which under normal conditions takes strictly integral values. In this article, we describe this accidental discovery and its manifestation in polyacetylene chains, which has lead to the development of organic conductors.