Abstract
We elaborate a theory of giant vortices [1] based on an asymptotic expansion in inverse powers of their winding number n. The theory is applied to the analysis of vortex solutions in the abelian Higgs (Ginzburg-Landau) model. Specific properties of the giant vortices for charged and neutral scalar fields as well as different integrable limits of the scalar self-coupling are discussed. Asymptotic results and the finite-n corrections to the vortex solutions are derived in analytic form and the convergence region of the expansion is determined.
The Casimir energy for a massless, neutral scalar field in presence of a point interaction is analyzed using a general zeta-regularization approach developed in earlier works. In addition to a regular bulk contribution, there arises an anomalous boundary term which is infinite despite renormalization. The intrinsic nature of this anomaly is briefly discussed.
A theory of giant vortices
