Multivariable Painleve'-II equation: connection formulas for asymptotic solutions

Abstract

For an integrable generalization of the Painleve'-II equation (P-II) to a system of coupled equations with symmetry breaking terms, an asymptotically exact WKB analysis is applied to obtain connection formulas for solutions at different infinities. The analysis relies on an exact solution of the quantum mechanical Demkov--Osherov model (DOM), revealing a possible deeper relation between classical integrable systems and solvable multistate Landau--Zener models. An application of the connection formulas to the problem of unstable vacuum decay during a second-order phase transition provides precise scaling of the number of excitations, including subdominant contributions.

9 pages, 4 figures