arXiv subjects

A. S. Fokas

Publications and source records attributed to A. S. Fokas.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

A generating mechanism for higher order rogue waves

We introduce a mechanism for generating higher order rogue waves (HRWs) of the nonlinear Schrödinger(NLS) equation: the progressive fusion and fission of $n$ degenerate breathers associated with a critical eigenvalue $λ_0$, creates an order $n$ HRW. By adjusting the relative phase of the breathers at the interacting area, it is possible to obtain different types of HRWs. The value $λ_0$ is a zero point of the eigenfunction of the Lax pair of the NLS equation and it corresponds to the limit of the period of the breather tending to infinity. By employing this mechanism we prove two conjectures regarding the total number of peaks, as well as a decomposition rule in the circular pattern of an order $n$ HRW.

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arXiv2013

Elliptic boundary value problems in convex polygons with low regularity boundary data via the unified method

We use novel integral representations developed by the second author to prove certain rigorous results concerning elliptic boundary value problems in convex polygons. Central to this approach is the so-called global relation, which is a non-local equation in the Fourier space that relates the known boundary data to the unknown boundary values. Assuming that the global relation is satisfied in the weakest possible sense, i.e. in a distributional sense, we prove there exist solutions to Dirichlet, Neumann and Robin boundary value problems with distributional boundary data. We also show that the analysis of the global relation characterises in a straightforward manner the possible existence of both integrable and non-integrable corner-singularities.

math.AP↗

arXiv2012

The Fourier Transforms of the Chebyshev and Legendre Polynomials

Analytic expressions for the Fourier transforms of the Chebyshev and Legendre polynomials are derived, and the latter is used to find a new representation for the half-order Bessel functions. The numerical implementation of the so-called unified method in the interior of a convex polygon provides an example of the applicability of these analytic expressions.

math.NA↗

arXiv2012

The Laplace equation for the exterior of the Hankel contour and novel identities for hypergeometric functions

By employing conformal mappings, it is possible to express the solution of certain boundary value problems for the Laplace equation in terms of a single integral involving the given boundary data. We show that such explicit formulae can be used to obtain novel identities for special functions. A convenient tool for deriving this type of identities is the so-called \emph{global relation}, which has appeared recently in a wide range of boundary value problems. As a concrete application, we analyze the Neumann boundary value problem for the Laplace equation in the exterior of the so-called Hankel contour, which is the contour that appears in the definition of both the gamma and the Riemann zeta functions. By utilizing the explicit solution of this problem, we derive a plethora of novel identities involving the hypergeometric function.

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arXiv2011

The Unified Method: I Non-Linearizable Problems on the Half-Line

Boundary value problems for integrable nonlinear evolution PDEs formulated on the half-line can be analyzed by the unified method introduced by one of the authors and used extensively in the literature. The implementation of this general method to this particular class of problems yields the solution in terms of the unique solution of a matrix Riemann-Hilbert problem formulated in the complex $k$-plane (the Fourier plane), which has a jump matrix with explicit $(x,t)$-dependence involving four scalar functions of $k$, called spectral functions. Two of these functions depend on the initial data, whereas the other two depend on all boundary values. The most difficult step of the new method is the characterization of the latter two spectral functions in terms of the given initial and boundary data, i.e. the elimination of the unknown boundary values. For certain boundary conditions, called linearizable, this can be achieved simply using algebraic manipulations. Here, we present an effective characterization of the spectral functions in terms of the given initial and boundary data for the general case of non-linearizable boundary conditions. This characterization is based on the analysis of the so-called global relation, on the analysis of the equations obtained from the global relation via certain transformations leaving the dispersion relation of the associated linearized PDE invariant, and on the computation of the large $k$ asymptotics of the eigenfunctions defining the relevant spectral functions.

math.AP↗

arXiv2011

The Unified Method: II NLS on the Half-Line with $t$-Periodic Boundary Conditions

Boundary value problems for integrable nonlinear evolution PDEs formulated on the half-line can be analyzed by the unified method introduced by one of the authors and used extensively in the literature. The implementation of this general method to this particular class of problems yields the solution in terms of the unique solution of a matrix Riemann-Hilbert problem formulated in the complex $k$-plane (the Fourier plane), which has a jump matrix with explicit $(x,t)$-dependence involving four scalar functions of $k$, called spectral functions. Two of these functions depend on the initial data, whereas the other two depend on all boundary values. The most difficult step of the new method is the characterization of the latter two spectral functions in terms of the given initial and boundary data, i.e. the elimination of the unknown boundary values. For certain boundary conditions, called linearizable, this can be achieved simply using algebraic manipulations. Here, we first present an effective characterization of the spectral functions in terms of the given initial and boundary data for the general case of non-linearizable boundary conditions. This characterization is based on the analysis of the so-called global relation and on the introduction of the so-called Gelfand-Levitan-Marchenko representations of the eigenfunctions defining the spectral functions. We then concentrate on the physically significant case of $t$-periodic Dirichlet boundary data. After presenting certain heuristic arguments which suggest that the Neumann boundary values become periodic as $t\to\infty$, we show that for the case of the NLS with a sine-wave as Dirichlet data, the asymptotics of the Neumann boundary values can be computed explicitly at least up to third order in a perturbative expansion and indeed at least up to this order are asymptotically periodic.

math.AP↗

arXiv2011

The Unified Method: III Non-Linearizable Problems on the Interval

Boundary value problems for integrable nonlinear evolution PDEs formulated on the finite interval can be analyzed by the unified method introduced by one of the authors and used extensively in the literature. The implementation of this general method to this particular class of problems yields the solution in terms of the unique solution of a matrix Riemann-Hilbert problem formulated in the complex $k$-plane (the Fourier plane), which has a jump matrix with explicit $(x,t)$-dependence involving six scalar functions of $k$, called spectral functions. Two of these functions depend on the initial data, whereas the other four depend on all boundary values. The most difficult step of the new method is the characterization of the latter four spectral functions in terms of the given initial and boundary data, i.e. the elimination of the unknown boundary values. Here, we present an effective characterization of the spectral functions in terms of the given initial and boundary data. We present two different characterizations of this problem. One is based on the analysis of the so-called global relation, on the analysis of the equations obtained from the global relation via certain transformations leaving the dispersion relation of the associated linearized PDE invariant, and on the computation of the large $k$ asymptotics of the eigenfunctions defining the relevant spectral functions. The other is based on the analysis of the global relation and on the introduction of the so-called Gelfand-Levitan-Marchenko representations of the eigenfunctions defining the relevant spectral functions. We also show that these two different characterizations are equivalent and that in the limit when the length of the interval tends to infinity, the relevant formulas reduce to the analogous formulas obtained recently for the case of boundary value problems formulated on the half-line.

math.AP↗

arXiv2011

A Nonlocal Formulation of Rotational Water Waves

The classical equations of irrotational water waves have recently been reformulated as a system of two equations, one of which is an explicit non-local equation for the wave height and for the velocity potential evaluated on the free surface. Here, in the two dimensional case, (a) we generalise the relevant formulation to the case of constant vorticity, as well as to the case where the free surface is described by a multi-valued function; (b) in the case of travelling waves we derive an upper bound for the free surface; (c) in the case of constant vorticity we construct a sequence of nearly Hamiltonian systems which provide an approximation in the asymptotic limit of certain physical small parameters. In particular, the explicit dependence of the vorticity on the coefficients of the KdV equation is clarified. Also, in the irrotational case we extend the formalism to n>2 dimensions and analyse rigorously the linear limit of these equations.

math.AP↗

arXiv2011

A Transform Method for Evolution PDEs on a Finite Interval

We study initial boundary value problems for linear scalar partial differential equations with constant coefficients, with spatial derivatives of {\em arbitrary order}, posed on the domain $\{t>0, 0<x<L\}$. We first show that by analysing the so-called {\em global relation}, which is an algebraic relation defined in the complex $k$-plane coupling all boundary values of the solution, it is possible to identify how many boundary conditions must be prescribed at each end of the space interval in order for the problem to be well posed. We then show that the solution can be expressed as an integral in the complex $k$-plane. This integral is defined in terms of an $x$-transform of the initial condition and a $t$-transform of the boundary conditions. For particular cases, such as the case of periodic boundary conditions, or the case of boundary value problems for {\em second} order PDEs, the integral can be rewritten as an infinite series. However, there exist initial boundary value problems for which the only representation is an integral which {\em cannot} be written as an infinite series. An example of such a problem is provided by the linearised version of the KdV equation. Thus, contrary to common belief, the solution of many linear initial boundary value problems on a finite interval {\em cannot} be expressed in terms of an infinite series.

math.AP↗

arXiv2010

A Novel Approach to Elastodynamics: I. The Two-Dimensional Case

We introduce a new approach to constructing analytic solutions of the linear PDEs describing elastodynamics. This approach is illustrated for the case of a homogeneous isotropic half-plane body satisfying arbitrary initial conditions and Lamb's boundary conditions. A particular case of this problem, namely the case of homogeneous initial conditions, was first solved by Lamb using the Fourier-Laplace transform. The solution of the general problem can also be expressed in terms of the Fourier transform, but this representation involves transforms of unknown boundary values. This necessitates the formulation and solution of a cumbersome auxiliary problem, which expresses the unknown boundary values in terms of the Laplace transform of the given boundary data. The new approach, which is applicable to arbitrary initial and boundary conditions, bypasses the above auxiliary problem and expresses the solutions directly in terms of the given initial and boundary data.

math.AP↗

arXiv2010

A Novel Approach to Elastodynamics: II. The Three-Dimensional Case

A new approach was recently introduced by the authors for constructing analytic solutions of the linear PDEs describing elastodynamics. Here, this approach is applied to the case of a homogeneous isotropic half-space body satisfying arbitrary initial conditions and Lamb's boundary conditions. A particular case of this problem, namely the case of homogeneous initial conditions and normal point load boundary conditions, was first solved by Lamb using the Fourier-Laplace transform. The general problem solved here can also be analysed via the Fourier transform, but in this case, the solution representation involves transforms of \textit{unknown} boundary values; this necessitates the formulation and solution of a cumbersome auxiliary problem, which expresses the unknown boundary values in terms of the Laplace transform of the given boundary data. The new approach, which is applicable to arbitrary initial and boundary conditions, bypasses the above auxiliary problem and expresses the solutions directly in terms of the given initial and boundary conditions.

math.AP↗

arXiv2010

The Kadomtsev-Petviashvili II Equation on the Half-Plane

The KPII equation is an integrable nonlinear PDE in 2+1 dimensions (two spatial and one temporal), which arises in several physical circumstances, including fluid mechanics where it describes waves in shallow water. It provides a multidimensional generalisation of the renowned KdV equation. In this work, we employ a novel approach recently introduced by one of the authors in connection with the Davey-Stewartson equation \cite{FDS2009}, in order to analyse the initial-boundary value problem for the KPII equation formulated on the half-plane. The analysis makes crucial use of the so-called d-bar formalism, as well as of the so-called global relation. A novel feature of boundary as opposed to initial-value problems in 2+1 is that the d-bar formalism now involves a function in the complex plane which is discontinuous across the real axis.

math.AP↗

arXiv2010

On a Novel Class of Integrable ODEs Related to the Painlevé Equations

One of the authors has recently introduced the concept of conjugate Hamiltonian systems: the solution of the equation $h=H(p,q,t),$ where $H$ is a given Hamiltonian containing $t$ explicitly, yields the function $t=T(p,q,h)$, which defines a new Hamiltonian system with Hamiltonian $T$ and independent variable $h.$ By employing this construction and by using the fact that the classical Painlevé equations are Hamiltonian systems, it is straightforward to associate with each Painlevé equation two new integrable ODEs. Here, we investigate the conjugate Painlevé II equations. In particular, for these novel integrable ODEs, we present a Lax pair formulation, as well as a class of implicit solutions. We also construct conjugate equations associated with Painlevé I and Painlevé IV equations.

nlin.SI↗

arXiv2010

Explicit soliton asymptotics for the Korteweg-de Vries equation on the half-line

Integrable PDEs on the line can be analyzed by the so-called Inverse Scattering Transform (IST) method. A particularly powerful aspect of the IST is its ability to predict the large $t$ behavior of the solution. Namely, starting with initial data $u(x,0)$, IST implies that the solution $u(x,t)$ asymptotes to a collection of solitons as $t \to \infty$, $x/t = O(1)$; moreover the shapes and speeds of these solitons can be computed from $u(x,0)$ using only {\it linear} operations. One of the most important developments in this area has been the generalization of the IST from initial to initial-boundary value (IBV) problems formulated on the half-line. It can be shown that again $u(x,t)$ asymptotes into a collection of solitons, where now the shapes and the speeds of these solitons depend both on $u(x,0)$ and on the given boundary conditions at $x = 0$. A major complication of IBV problems is that the computation of the shapes and speeds of the solitons involves the solution of a {\it nonlinear} Volterra integral equation. However, for a certain class of boundary conditions, called linearizable, this complication can be bypassed and the relevant computation is as effective as in the case of the problem on the line. Here, after reviewing the general theory for KdV, we analyze three different types of linearizable boundary conditions. For these cases, the initial conditions are: (a) restrictions of one and two soliton solutions at $t = 0$; (b) profiles of certain exponential type; (c) box-shaped profiles. For each of these cases, by computing explicitly the shapes and the speeds of the asymptotic solitons, we elucidate the influence of the boundary.

nlin.SI↗

arXiv2010

On a novel integrable generalization of the sine-Gordon equation

We consider an integrable generalization of the sine-Gordon (sG) equation that was earlier derived by one of the authors using bi-Hamiltonian methods. This equation is related to the sG equation in the same way that the Camassa-Holm equation is related to the KdV equation. In this paper we: (a) Derive a Lax pair. (b) Use the Lax pair to solve the initial value problem on the line. (c) Analyze solitons. (d) Show that the generalized sG and sG equations are related by a Liouville transformation. (e) Derive conservation laws. (f) Analyze traveling-wave solutions.

nlin.SI↗

arXiv2009

Boundary value problems for the elliptic sine-Gordon equation in a semi-strip

We study boundary value problems posed in a semistrip for the elliptic sine-Gordon equation, which is the paradigm of an elliptic integrable PDE in two variables. We use the method introduced by one of the authors, which provides a substantial generalization of the inverse scattering transform and can be used for the analysis of boundary as opposed to initial-value problems. We first express the solution in terms of a $2\times 2$ matrix Riemann-Hilbert problem formulated in terms of both the Dirichlet and the Neumann boundary values on the boundary of a semistrip. We then concentrate on the case that the prescribed boundary conditions are zero along the unbounded sides of the semistrip and constant along the bounded side; in this particular case we show that the "jump matrices" of the above Riemann-Hilbert problem can be expressed explicitly in terms of the width of the semistrip and the constant value of the solution along the bounded side. This Riemann-Hilbert problem has a unique solution.

math-ph↗

arXiv2009

Boundary value problems for the stationary axisymmetric Einstein equations: a rotating disk

The stationary, axisymmetric reduction of the vacuum Einstein equations, the so-called Ernst equation, is an integrable nonlinear PDE in two dimensions. There now exists a general method for analyzing boundary value problems for integrable PDEs, and this method consists of two steps: (a) Construct an integral representation of the solution characterized via a matrix Riemann-Hilbert (RH) problem formulated in the complex $k$-plane, where $k$ denotes the spectral parameter of the associated Lax pair. This representation involves, in general, some unknown boundary values, thus the solution formula is {\it not} yet effective. (b) Characterize the unknown boundary values by analyzing a certain equation called the {\it global relation}. This analysis involves, in general, the solution of a nonlinear problem; however, for certain boundary value problems called linearizable, it is possible to determine the unknown boundary values using only linear operations. Here, we employ the above methodology for the investigation of certain boundary value problems for the elliptic version of the Ernst equation. For this problem, the main novelty is the occurence of the spectral parameter in the form of a square root and this necessitates the introduction of a two-sheeted Riemann surface for the formulation of the relevant RH problem. As a concrete application of the general formalism, it is shown that the particular boundary value problem corresponding to the physically significant case of a rotating disk is a linearizable boundary value problem. In this way the remarkable results of Neugebauer and Meinel are recovered.

nlin.SI↗

arXiv2009

An integrable generalization of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation on the half-line and solitons

We analyze initial-boundary value problems for an integrable generalization of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation formulated on the half-line. In particular, we investigate the so-called linearizable boundary conditions, which in this case are of Robin type. Furthermore, we use a particular solution to verify explicitly all the steps needed for the solution of a well-posed problem.

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