$CP^2$ soliton scattering: The collective coordinate approximation

Abstract

The $CP^2$ model, with and without a generalized Hopf term, is studied using the collective coordinate approximation. In the spirit of this approximation, an ansatz is given which in previous numerical studies was seen to give a good parameterization of the numerical solution. The equations of motion for the collective coordinates are then solved analytically, for solitons close together and for solitons far apart. The solutions show how the generalized Hopf term changes the scattering angle which in its absence is $90^{\circ}$.