arXiv subjects

Alessandro Torcini

Publications and source records attributed to Alessandro Torcini.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

Modulated Amplitude Waves and Defect Formation in the One-Dimensional Complex Ginzburg-Landau Equation

The transition from phase chaos to defect chaos in the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation (CGLE) is related to saddle-node bifurcations of modulated amplitude waves (MAWs). First, the spatial period P of MAWs is shown to be limited by a maximum P_SN which depends on the CGLE coefficients; MAW-like structures with period larger than P_SN evolve to defects. Second, slowly evolving near-MAWs with average phase gradients $ν\approx 0$ and various periods occur naturally in phase chaotic states of the CGLE. As a measure for these periods, we study the distributions of spacings p between neighboring peaks of the phase gradient. A systematic comparison of p and P_SN as a function of coefficients of the CGLE shows that defects are generated at locations where p becomes larger than P_SN. In other words, MAWs with period P_SN represent ``critical nuclei'' for the formation of defects in phase chaos and may trigger the transition to defect chaos. Since rare events where p becomes sufficiently large to lead to defect formation may only occur after a long transient, the coefficients where the transition to defect chaos seems to occur depend on system size and integration time. We conjecture that in the regime where the maximum period P_SN has diverged, phase chaos persists in the thermodynamic limit.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2001

A dynamical approach to protein folding

In this paper we show that a dynamical description of the protein folding process provides an effective representation of equilibrium properties and it allows for a direct investigation of the mechanisms ruling the approach towards the native configuration. The results reported in this paper have been obtained for a two-dimensional toy-model of amino acid sequences, whose native configurations were previously determined by Monte Carlo techniques. The somewhat controversial scenario emerging from the comparison among various thermodynamical indicators is definitely better resolved relying upon a truly dynamical description, that points out the crucial role played by long-range interactions in determining the characteristic step-wise evolution of ``good'' folders to their native state. It is worth stressing that this dynamical scenario is consistent with the information obtained by exploring the energy landscapes of different sequences. This suggests that even the identification of more efficient ``static'' indicators should take into account the peculiar features associated with the complex ``orography'' of the landscape.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2001

Linear and nonlinear information flow in spatially extended systems

Infinitesimal and finite amplitude error propagation in spatially extended systems are numerically and theoretically investigated. The information transport in these systems can be characterized in terms of the propagation velocity of perturbations $V_p$. A linear stability analysis is sufficient to capture all the relevant aspects associated to propagation of infinitesimal disturbances. In particular, this analysis gives the propagation velocity $V_L$ of infinitesimal errors. If linear mechanisms prevail on the nonlinear ones $V_p = V_L$. On the contrary, if nonlinear effects are predominant finite amplitude disturbances can eventually propagate faster than infinitesimal ones (i.e. $V_p > V_L$). The finite size Lyapunov exponent can be successfully employed to discriminate the linear or nonlinear origin of information flow. A generalization of finite size Lyapunov exponent to a comoving reference frame allows to state a marginal stability criterion able to provide $V_p$ both in the linear and in the nonlinear case. Strong analogies are found between information spreading and propagation of fronts connecting steady states in reaction-diffusion systems. The analysis of the common characteristics of these two phenomena leads to a better understanding of the role played by linear and nonlinear mechanisms for the flow of information in spatially extended systems.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2000

Transition to Stochastic Synchronization in Spatially Extended Systems

Spatially extended dynamical systems, namely coupled map lattices, driven by additive spatio-temporal noise are shown to exhibit stochastic synchronization. In analogy with low-dymensional systems, synchronization can be achieved only if the maximum Lyapunov exponent becomes negative for sufficiently large noise amplitude. Moreover, noise can suppress also the non-linear mechanism of information propagation, that may be present in the spatially extended system. A first example of phase transition is observed when both the linear and the non-linear mechanisms of information production disappear at the same critical value of the noise amplitude. The corresponding critical properties can be hardly identified numerically, but some general argument suggests that they could be ascribed to the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang universality class. Conversely, when the non-linear mechanism prevails on the linear one, another type of phase transition to stochastic synchronization occurs. This one is shown to belong to the universality class of directed percolation.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2000

Modulated Amplitude Waves and the Transition from Phase to Defect Chaos

The mechanism for transitions from phase to defect chaos in the one-dimensional complex Ginzburg-Landau equation (CGLE) is presented. We introduce and describe periodic coherent structures of the CGLE, called Modulated Amplitude Waves (MAWs). MAWs of various period P occur naturally in phase chaotic states. A bifurcation study of the MAWs reveals that for sufficiently large period P, pairs of MAWs cease to exist via a saddle-node bifurcation. For periods beyond this bifurcation, incoherent near-MAW structures occur which evolve toward defects. This leads to our main result: the transition from phase to defect chaos takes place when the periods of MAWs in phase chaos are driven beyond their saddle-node bifurcation.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2000

Coarsening in surface growth models without slope selection

We study conserved models of crystal growth in one dimension [$\partial_t z(x,t) =-\partial_x j(x,t)$] which are linearly unstable and develop a mound structure whose typical size L increases in time ($L = t^n$). If the local slope ($m =\partial_x z$) increases indefinitely, $n$ depends on the exponent $γ$ characterizing the large $m$ behaviour of the surface current $j$ ($j = 1/|m|^γ$): $n=1/4$ for $1< γ<3$ and $n=(1+γ)/(1+5γ)$ for $γ>3$.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv1999

Dynamics and statistics of simple models with infinite-range attractive interaction

In this paper we review a series of results obtained for 1D and 2D simple N-body dynamical models with infinite-range attractive interactions and without short distance singularities. The free energy of both models can be exactly obtained in the canonical ensemble, while microcanonical results can be derived from numerical simulations. Both models show a phase transition from a low energy clustered phase to a high energy gaseous state, in analogy with the models introduced in the early 70's by Thirring and Hertel. The phase transition is second order for the 1D model, first order for the 2D model. Negative specific heat appears in both models near the phase transition point. For both models, in the presence of a negative specific heat, a cluster of collapsed particles coexists with a halo of higher energy particles which perform long correlated flights, which lead to anomalous diffusion. The dynamical origin of the "superdiffusion" is different in the two models, being related to particle trapping and untrapping in the cluster in 1D, while in 2D the channelling of particles in an egg-crate effective potential is responsible of the effect. Both models are Lyapunov unstable and the maximal Lyapunov exponent $λ$ has a peak just in the region preceeding the phase transition. Moreover, in the low energy limit $λ$ increases proportionally to the square root of the internal energy, while in the high energy region it vanishes as $N^{-1/3}$.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv1998

Equilibrium and dynamical properties of two dimensional self-gravitating systems

A system of N classical particles in a 2D periodic cell interacting via long-range attractive potential is studied. For low energy density $U$ a collapsed phase is identified, while in the high energy limit the particles are homogeneously distributed. A phase transition from the collapsed to the homogeneous state occurs at critical energy U_c. A theoretical analysis within the canonical ensemble identifies such a transition as first order. But microcanonical simulations reveal a negative specific heat regime near $U_c$. The dynamical behaviour of the system is affected by this transition : below U_c anomalous diffusion is observed, while for U > U_c the motion of the particles is almost ballistic. In the collapsed phase, finite $N$-effects act like a noise source of variance O(1/N), that restores normal diffusion on a time scale diverging with N. As a consequence, the asymptotic diffusion coefficient will also diverge algebraically with N and superdiffusion will be observable at any time in the limit N \to \infty. A Lyapunov analysis reveals that for U > U_c the maximal exponent λdecreases proportionally to N^{-1/3} and vanishes in the mean-field limit. For sufficiently small energy, in spite of a clear non ergodicity of the system, a common scaling law λ\propto U^{1/2} is observed for any initial conditions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv1998

Lyapunov Exponents from Node-Counting Arguments

A conjecture connecting Lyapunov exponents of coupled map lattices and the node theorem is presented. It is based on the analogy between the linear stability analysis of extended chaotic states and the Schrödinger problem for a particle in a disordered potential. As a consequence, we propose an alternative method to compute the Lyapunov spectrum. The implications on the foundation of the recently proposed ``chronotopic approach'' are also discussed.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1998

Analytical Estimation of the Maximal lyapunov Exponent in Oscillator Chains

An analytical expression for the maximal Lyapunov exponent $λ_1$ in generalized Fermi-Pasta-Ulam oscillator chains is obtained. The derivation is based on the calculation of modulational instability growth rates for some unstable periodic orbits. The result is compared with numerical simulations and the agreement is good over a wide range of energy densities $ε$. At very high energy density the power law scaling of $λ_1$ with $ε$ can be also obtained by simple dimensional arguments, assuming that the system is ruled by a single time scale. Finally, we argue that for repulsive and hard core potentials in one dimension $λ_1 \sim \sqrtε$ at large $ε$.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv1998

Anomalous diffusion as a signature of collapsing phase in two dimensional self-gravitating systems

A two dimensional self-gravitating Hamiltonian model made by $N$ fully-coupled classical particles exhibits a transition from a collapsing phase (CP) at low energy to a homogeneous phase (HP) at high energy. From a dynamical point of view, the two phases are characterized by two distinct single-particle motions : namely, superdiffusive in the CP and ballistic in the HP. Anomalous diffusion is observed up to a time $τ$ that increases linearly with $N$. Therefore, the finite particle number acts like a white noise source for the system, inhibiting anomalous transport at longer times.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv1997

Localization and Equipartition of Energy in the beta-FPU Chain : Chaotic Breathers

The evolution towards equipartition in the $β$-FPU chain is studied considering as initial condition the highest frequency mode. Above an analytically derived energy threshold, this zone-boundary mode is shown to be modulationally unstable and to give rise to a striking localization process. The spontaneously created excitations have strong similarity with moving exact breathers solutions. But they have a finite lifetime and their dynamics is chaotic. These chaotic breathers are able to collect very efficiently the energy in the chain. Therefore their size grows in time and they can transport a very large quantity of energy. These features can be explained analyzing the dynamics of perturbed exact breathers of the FPU chain. In particular, a close connection between the Lyapunov spectrum of the chaotic breathers and the Floquet spectrum of the exact ones has been found. The emergence of chaotic breathers is convincingly explained by the absorption of high frequency phonons whereas a breather's metastability is for the first time identified. The lifetime of the chaotic breather is related to the time necessary for the system to reach equipartition. The equipartition time turns out to be dependent on the system energy density $ε$ only. Moreover, such time diverges as $ε^{-2}$ in the limit $ε\to 0$ and vanishes as $ε^{-1/4}$ for $ε\to \infty$.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv1997

Modulational Estimate for Fermi-Pasta-Ulam Chain Lyapunov Exponents

In the framework of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam (FPU) model, we show a simple method to give an accurate analytical estimation of the maximal Lyapunov exponent at high energy density. The method is based on the computation of the mean value of the modulational instability growth rates associated to unstable modes. Moreover, we show that the strong stochasticity threshold found in the $β$-FPU system is closely related to a transition in tangent space: the Lyapunov eigenvector being more localized in space at high energy.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1997

Entropy potential and Lyapunov exponents

According to a previous conjecture, spatial and temporal Lyapunov exponents of chaotic extended systems can be obtained from derivatives of a suitable function: the entropy potential. The validity and the consequences of this hypothesis are explored in detail. The numerical investigation of a continuous-time model provides a further confirmation to the existence of the entropy potential. Furthermore, it is shown that the knowledge of the entropy potential allows determining also Lyapunov spectra in general reference frames where the time-like and space-like axes point along generic directions in the space-time plane. Finally, the existence of an entropy potential implies that the integrated density of positive exponents (Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy) is independent of the chosen reference frame.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1996

Disturbance propagation in chaotic extended systems with long-range coupling

Propagation of initially localized perturbations is investigated in chaotic coupled map lattices with long-range couplings decaying as a power of the distance. The initial perturbation propagates exponentially fast along the lattice, with a rate given by the ratio of the maximal Lyapunov exponent and the power of the coupling. A complementary description in terms of a suitable comoving Lyapunov exponent is also given.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1996

Order Parameter for the Transition from Phase to Amplitude Turbulence

The maximal conserved phase gradient is introduced as an order parameter to characterize the transition from phase- to defect-turbulence in the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. It has a finite value in the phase-turbulent regime and decreases to zero when the transition to defect-turbulence is approached. Solutions with a non-zero phase gradient are studied via a Lyapunov analysis. The degree of "chaoticity" decreases for increasing values of the phase gradient and finally leads to stable travelling wave solutions. A modified Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation for the phase-dynamics is able to reproduce the main features of the stable waves and to explain their origin.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1996

Studies of Phase Turbulence in the One Dimensional Complex Ginzburg-Landau Equation

The phase-turbulent (PT) regime for the one dimensional complex Ginzburg-Landau equation (CGLE) is carefully studied, in the limit of large systems and long integration times, using an efficient new integration scheme. Particular attention is paid to solutions with a non-zero phase gradient. For fixed control parameters, solutions with conserved average phase gradient $ν$ exist only for $|ν|$ less than some upper limit. The transition from phase to defect-turbulence happens when this limit becomes zero. A Lyapunov analysis shows that the system becomes less and less chaotic for increasing values of the phase gradient. For high values of the phase gradient a family of non-chaotic solutions of the CGLE is found. These solutions consist of spatially periodic or aperiodic waves travelling with constant velocity. They typically have incommensurate velocities for phase and amplitude propagation, showing thereby a novel type of quasiperiodic behavior. The main features of these travelling wave solutions can be explained through a modified Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation that rules the phase dynamics of the CGLE in the PT phase. The latter explains also the behavior of the maximal Lyapunov exponents of chaotic solutions.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1996

Chronotopic Lyapunov Analysis: (II) towards a Unified Approach

From the analyticity properties of the equation governing infinitesimal perturbations, it is shown that all stability properties of spatially extended 1D systems can be derived from a single function that we call entropy potential since it gives directly the Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy density. Such a function allows determining also Lyapunov spectra in reference frames where time-like and space-like axes point in general directions in the space-time plane. The existence of an entropy potential implies that the integrated density of positive exponents is independent of the reference frame.

chao-dyn↗