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  • Open Access

Dynamics of Quantum Chiral Solitons

Leandro M. Chinellato*

Oleg A. Starykh†

Cristian D. Batista‡

  • *Contact author: lchinell@vols.utk.edu
  • †Contact author: oleg.starykh@utah.edu
  • ‡Contact author: cbatist2@utk.edu
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Phys. Rev. X 16, 021056 – Published 15 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/zgqj-tyfd

Abstract

We introduce a nonperturbative framework for quantizing chiral solitons in interacting quantum spin chains. This approach provides a direct lattice extension of the well-established S-duality between the sine-Gordon and Thirring models, thereby bridging the gap between continuum dualities and their lattice counterparts. By constructing the quantum chiral-soliton operators explicitly, we show how their unconventional dynamics appear in the excitation spectrum and correlation functions across the full Brillouin zone. A key result is that the dominant soliton tunneling amplitude alternates in sign, sgn(t1+)=(−1)2S+1, sharply distinguishing half-odd-integer from integer spin chains. We further identify characteristic signatures of these chiral excitations in the dynamical spin structure factor, demonstrating their visibility in inelastic neutron scattering. Our results open a route to experimentally probing nonperturbative features of dual quantum field theories in condensed-matter settings.

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Popular Summary

Understanding how quantum mechanics reshapes the properties of solitons remains a challenging problem because these localized, particlelike excitations emerge from complex, nonperturbative nonlinear interactions. We addressed this by developing a nonperturbative framework to quantize chiral solitons in interacting spin chains, directly extending quantum field theory methods to lattice quantum magnets. By constructing a quantum chiral-soliton operator, we show how their unconventional dynamics emerge in the excitation spectrum and correlation functions across the full Brillouin zone. We found that as the external magnetic field approaches a critical threshold, these solitons condense into a Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid, forming a unique quantum fluid of interacting solitons. Our calculations identify distinct signatures of these excitations that can be probed via inelastic neutron scattering measurements. This work establishes a methodology for identifying nonperturbative quantum-field-theory phenomena within accessible magnetic materials.

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Outline

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Phys. Rev. X 16, 021056– Published 15 June, 2026
  • Received 9 December 2025
  • Revised 24 March 2026
  • Accepted 11 May 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

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