topological soliton

plural topological solitons

1. mathematicsA type of soliton that forms the transition between two adjoining structures or spaces which are "out of phase" in such a way that the transition cannot be seamless.

   2010, Wen Xiu Ma, Xing-biao Hu, Qingping Liu (editors), Nonlinear and Modern Mathematical Physics: Proceedings of the First International Workshop, American Institute of Physics, page 205, We review our work on topological solitons in the Faddeev-Skyrme model.

   2 more examples

   One of the simplest and most commonplace examples of a topological soliton occurs in old-fashioned coiled telephone handset cords, which are usually coiled clockwise. Years of picking up the handset can end up coiling parts of the cord in the opposite counterclockwise direction, and when this happens there will be a distinctive larger loop that separates the two directions of coiling. This odd looking transition loop, which is neither clockwise nor counterclockwise, is an excellent example of a topological soliton.^([Wikipedia])

   A dynamic theory is derived for the motion of a Bloch point, i.e., a point topological soliton which is homotopically equivalent to a "hedgehog," along a Bloch line in a ferromagnet.

   1989, Soviet Physics, JETP, Volume 68, Issues 1-4, American Institute of Physics, page 879

   Synonyms: topological defect