Asymmetry engendered by symmetric kink–antikink scattering in a degenerate two-field model

Abstract

In this paper, we analyze the scattering process in a two-field model in [Formula: see text] dimensions, with the special property to have several topological solutions: (i) one with higher rest mass, characterized by a nested defect (lump inside a kink) and (ii) four others having lower rest mass, degenerated, and characterized by a kink inside kink. We investigate kink–antikink symmetric scattering, where the kink and antikink have higher rest mass and the same initial velocity modulus [Formula: see text]. The output of scattering presents a wide range of behaviors, such as annihilation of the kink–antikink pair, the emission of radiation jets, the generation of oscillating pulses and the change of the topological sector. We show that the changing of the topological sector is favored, and only two of the four sectors are possible as outcomes. Moreover, despite the degeneracy in energy, the distribution of the final states is asymmetric in the phase space, being an effect of the presence of vibrational states.