Mechanization of scalar field theory in (1+1)-dimensions: BPS mech-kinks and their scattering

Abstract

We present an updated version of a general-purpose collective coordinate model that aims to fully map out the dynamics of a single scalar field in (1+1)-dimensions. This is achieved by a procedure that we call a `mechanization': we reduce the infinite number of degrees of freedom down to a finite and controllable number by chopping the field into flat segments connected via joints. In this paper, we introduce two new ingredients to our procedure. The first is a manifestly BPS mechanization in which BPS mech-kinks saturate the same bound on energy as their field-theoretical progenitors. The second is allowing the joints to `switch', leading to an extended concept of the effective Lagrangian, through which we describe direct collisions of mech-kinks and anti-kinks.