Quantum Solitons in the Electroweak Theory

Abstract

We explore the space of solutions of the classical equations of motion in the Euclidean electroweak theory. We sketch a topological prescription that finds known solutions and indicates the existence of novel ones. All spatially-varying, time-independent solutions are unstable. However, if we consider quantum fluctuations around static classical configurations, it may be possible to find stable solutions called quantum solitons. Such objects carry a conserved quantum number, in analogy with a topological soliton carrying a topological charge. We explain the mechanism and motivation for the existence of a quantum soliton and describe our search for one within a spherical ansatz. We also comment on promising candidates outside the ansatz.