Generalized Integrability and the connections between Skyrme-Faddeev and Yang Mills theories

Skyrme theory on S^2 (Faddeev coset proposal), is analyzed with a generalization of 0-curvature integrability, based on gauge techniques. New expressions valid for models in the sphere are given. The relation of the minimum energy configurations to gauge vacua is clarified. Consequences of adding a potential term to break the SO(3) symmetry are discussed.