An analytical quantum theory of Thirring solitons is developed using a linearized perturbation analysis. This theory is used to study the vacuum-induced fluctuations of Thirring soliton propagation and collision. We show that squeezing occurs due to phase diffusion and wave packet spreading, as expected. It is also shown that Thirring soliton collisions can lead to a reduction in quantum phase and position noise. Due to similar phenomena that occur for solitons of the one- and two-component nonlinear Schrödinger model, this seems to point to a more general effect of quantum noise reduction in soliton collisions. These results may find relevance in optics, Bose-Einstein condensates, and other areas in which the observation of Thirring solitons is possible.

• Received 27 February 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.76.013812