  We study discrete solitons (kinks) accessible in state-of-the-art trapped ion
experiments, considering zigzag crystals and quasi-3D configurations, both
theoretically and experimentally. We first extend the theoretical understanding
of different phenomena predicted and recently experimentally observed in the
structure and dynamics of these topological excitations. Employing tools from
topological degree theory, we analyze bifurcations of crystal configurations in
dependence on the trapping parameters, and investigate the formation of kink
configurations and the transformations of kinks between different structures.
This allows us to accurately define and calculate the effective potential
experienced by solitons within the Wigner crystal, and study how this
(so-called Peierls-Nabarro) potential gets modified to a nonperiodic globally
trapping potential in certain parameter regimes. The kinks' rest mass (energy)
and spectrum of modes are computed and the dynamics of linear and nonlinear
kink oscillations are analyzed. We also present novel, experimentally observed,
configurations of kinks incorporating a large-mass defect realized by an
embedded molecular ion, and of pairs of interacting kinks stable for long
times, offering the perspective for exploring and exploiting complex collective
nonlinear excitations, controllable on the quantum level.
