Derivative expansion and soliton masses

We present a simple algorithm to implement the generalized derivative expansion introduced previously by L-H. Chan, and apply it to the calculation of the one-loop mass correction to the classical soliton mass in the 1 + 1 dimensional Jacobi model. We then show how this derivative expansion approach implies that the total (bosonic plus fermionic) mass correction in an N = 1 supersymmetric soliton model is determined solely by the asymptotic values (and derivatives) of the fermionic background potential. For a static soliton the total mass correction is -m/(2 pi), in agreement with recent analyses using phase-shift methods. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.