New skyrmion solutions on a 3-sphere

We present new O(2)xO(2)-symmetric field configurations for several skyrmions on a 3-dimensional hypersphere which represent solutions to the full Euler-Lagrange equations for arbitrary baryon number. For the case of B=2 we find the lowest energy configuration yet encountered. The stability of this solution is studied through a second-order variational calculation. In particular, we argue that it undergoes a second-order phase transition to an axially symmetric solution, analogous to the lowest energy solution in flat space. Comparisons to product configurations of two skyrmions are made. (orig.)