Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 50 1 ii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Write the rapidity parameters as , , and define . The signed coefficient in the Sine-Gordon multisoliton tau representation isFor distinct rapidities, . In particular, cannot be taken as a real logarithm of a positive coefficient. The finite sums defining the Hirota tau functions can instead be evaluated directly with the real, negative . They giveThe physical field is a continuous branch of a multivalued function, equivalently with the argument followed continuously. The principal inverse tangent alone jumps when changes sign.
Follow the first kink with . Then and . The two possible local limits arewhere the second field is written on the continuous kink branch. Thus both limits are single Sine-Gordon kinks of the same width and velocity, but their centers obey or . Following the second kink gives the same conclusion with labels exchanged. The incoming and outgoing velocities are thereforeThere is no change in the asymptotic rapidities or kink profiles.
Define the spatial shift as the outgoing center intercept minus the incoming center intercept. Since the large- limit occurs afterwards when , and beforehand when , the soliton time delay isThe time formula uses and requires . Its dependence on the velocities is explicit on substitutingFor a faster right-moving kink, and : it arrives earlier than its freely continued incoming trajectory. If , report the finite spatial shift; a fixed-position arrival-time delay for a stationary kink is undefined. Coincident velocities are excluded from a separated collision asymptotic.
For completeness, allowing antikinks means , , with . The velocities remain . For opposite orientations, , and the general spatial shift isThis follows from the same two local limits; it makes explicit the orientation hypothesis behind the velocity-only all-kink answer.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 50 3 Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Interpret the paired indices as incoming and as outgoing. For self-conjugate particles in the real vector representation of the orthogonal group, crossing the second incoming particle with the second outgoing one givesThe continuation exchanges the trace and permutation tensor structures and leaves the identity structure fixed. Therefore crossing symmetry imposesThese are analytic relations; they do not determine the three functions completely.
For unitarity, act on the two-species tensor product with the O(N)-invariant S-matrix . The invariant operators obey , and . Writing and multiplying givesThe three invariant operators are independent for . Equivalently, the orthogonal-invariant scattering channels have amplitudesand each satisfies . The trace singlet, symmetric traceless and antisymmetric channels have dimensions , and . For these are . With Hermitian analyticity of a two-particle S-matrix, on the real axis, so each channel has unit modulus. This expresses conservation of scattering probability.
The Faddeev-Zamolodchikov algebra orders particle operators by rapidity. Its associativity requires that a product of three operators be independent of parentheses and, in particular, that both sequences of adjacent exchanges give the same final ordered species word with the same coefficient. This is the Faddeev-Zamolodchikov associativity constraint, or spectral Yang-Baxter equation. The exchanges do not use the ordinary creation/annihilation normal ordering convention.
Take , with , , and abbreviateFor , start with and compare the coefficient of . First exchange positions , then , then . The initial equal-index exchange givesFrom the first term, the specified final word is reached through ; from the second term, the intermediate equal-index exchange uses to produce species , followed by . Thus this exchange route has coefficientFor the other route, first exchange positions , then , then . The first exchange is between different indices and gives . The first term reaches the target through , and the second reaches it through . ThereforeEquate these two coefficients, cancel the common term , and rearrange:Restoring the three arguments gives the required scalar Yang-Baxter equation. The derivation starts in the ordered physical region ; the identity extends to other values by the same scattering analytic continuation, wherever its factors are defined. Associativity must hold coefficient by coefficient for every species word; this displayed relation is one necessary component.
Physical rapidity strip 2026-10-06
For relativistic two-body scattering in one spatial dimension, this strip is the standard domain containing bound-state and crossed-channel poles. A stable-particle interpretation requires appropriate pole kinematics and residues; not every singularity automatically represents a new particle. Crossing relates rapidity to .
At relative rapidity , the analytically continued sum of the constituent four-momentum vectors is on the bound-state mass shell with the displayed mass. For equal constituents, rapidities sum to . A pole at is at threshold rather than a strictly bound state.
Scattering s-channel 2026-10-06
The direct channel combines the two incoming four-momentum vectors. A one-particle pole in this channel has the intermediate particle's squared mass equal to . Imaginary rapidity differences can satisfy this mass relation for a bound state even though there is no pole at real physical scattering rapidity.
Sine-Gordon multisoliton tau representation 2026-10-06
For real parameters with , set and . Sum over binary vectors of even parity for and odd parity for . The Sine-Gordon equation solution is the continuous field . In the all-kink sector, , and . Treating these coefficients as positive would change the solution. Distinct rapidities give separated incoming and outgoing solitons.