Normal mode spectrum of the deuteron in the Skyrme model

The normal mode spectrum of the deuteron in the Skyrme model is computed. We find a bound doublet mode below the pion mass, which can be related to the well-known 90° scattering of two skyrmions. We also find a singlet ‘breather’ mode and another doublet above the pion mass. The qualitative pattern of the spectrum is similar to that recently found for the B = 4 multiskyrmion. The symmetries of all the vibrational modes are presented.