Resonant configurations in scalar field theories: Can some oscillons live forever?

Abstract

We investigate the longevity of oscillons numerically, paying particular attention to radially symmetric oscillons that have been conjectured to have an infinitely long lifetime. In two spatial dimensions, oscillons have not been seen to decay. In three spatial dimensions, specific initial Gaussian configurations seem to lead to oscillons with spikes in lifetime that have been conjectured to be infinite. We study such "resonant" oscillons in two and three spatial dimensions, applying two tests to study their longevity: Parametric resonance and virialization. Without offering a formal proof, our numerical results offer support for the conjecture that, in both dimensions, resonant oscillons may be infinitely long lived.