Metastable Kinks in the Orbifold

Understand

We consider static configurations of bulk scalar fields in extra dimensional models in which the fifth dimension is an $S^1/Z_2$ orbifold.

• There may exist a finite number of such configurations, with total number depending on the size of the orbifold interval.
• We perform a detailed Sturm-Liouville stability analysis that demonstrates that all but the lowest-lying configurations - those with no nodes in the interval - are unstable.
• We also present a powerful general criterion with which to determine which of these nodeless solutions are stable.