Manifold self-localization in a deformable medium

Abstract

Directed manifolds (domain walls, interfaces, vortex lines) in a deformable medium can exist in a correlated state in which the manifold is self-localized by its own strain field. Depending on the temperature, manifold/medium dimensionalities, and the strength of the coupling with the medium, the degree of localization of the ground state can vary both continuously and discontinuously; there can be phase transitions from self- localized to the free-manifold state.