The spin-orbit force in the Skyrme model

The Skyrme model is a model of nuclear forces where pions are the 'fundamental' particles and nucleons emerge as topological solitons. It has had some qualitative success in reproducing observed features of nuclei, such as the observed spins of different nuclei. One aspect that remains poorly understood is how the nuclear spin-orbit force arises in this model. In the conventional nuclear shell model the spin-orbit force is very important, for instance in reproducing the 'magic numbers' of protons and neutrons that give particularly stable nuclei. This project involves modelling the nuclear spin-orbit force within the Skyrme model. In addition, understanding the dynamical forces between topological solitons has more general applications, for instance in condensed matter.