Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Using Solution NMR to Characterize Biomolecular Condensates Under Biphasic Conditions
Published on: April 17, 2026
Jahn-Teller solitons, structural phase transitions, and phase separation
1Department of Physics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405-0125, USA.
Abstract:
It is demonstrated that under common conditions a molecular solid subject to Jahn-Teller interactions supports stable Q-ball-like nontopological solitons. Such solitons represent a localized lump of excess electric charge in periodic motion accompanied by a time-dependent shape distortion of a set of adjacent molecules. The motion of the distortion can correspond to a true rotation or to a pseudorotation about the symmetric shape configuration. These solitons are stable for Jahn-Teller coupling strengths below a critical value; however, as the Jahn-Teller coupling approaches this critical value, the size of the soliton diverges signaling an incipient structural phase transition. The soliton phase mimics features commonly attributed to phase separation in complex solids.
Related Concept Videos
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing
Phase Transitions
Phase Transitions
Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition
Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation
Phase Diagrams of Ternary Systems

