  The topological defects of the lambda phi^4 theory, kink and antikink, are
studied in the Hartree approximation. This allows us to discuss quantum effects
on the defects in both stationary and dynamical systems. The kink mass is
calculated for a number of parameters, and compared to classical, one loop and
Monte Carlo results known from the literature. We discuss the thermalization of
the system after a kink antikink collision. A classical result, the existence
of a critical speed, is rederived and shown for the first time in the quantum
theory. We also use kink antikink collisions as a very simple toy model for
heavy ion collisions and discuss the differences and similarities, for example
in the pressure. Finally, using the Hartree Ensemble Approximation allows us to
study kink antikink nucleation starting from a thermal (Bose Einstein)
distribution. In general our results indicate that on a qualitative level there
are few differences with the classical results, but on a quantitative level
there are some import ones.
