Alternative SU(N) skyrme models and their solutions

We consider alternative SU(N) Skyrme models in 3 spatial dimensions. We sho w that when N=2 they reduce to the usual SU(2) Skyrme model but for N great er than or equal to3 they are different. We show that the harmonic map ansa tz previously applied to the usual Skyrme models can also be applied to the se models giving spherically symmetric solutions (when the number of projec tors is N-1) and low energy field approximants when the number of projector s is lower. We compare our results with the results for the usual Skyrme mo dels. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.