arXiv subjects

Anna Vainchtein

Publications and source records attributed to Anna Vainchtein.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Whitham modulation equations for the regularized Boussinesq equation with cubic nonlinearity

A regularized Boussinesq equation is studied as a dispersive, long-wave (quasicontinuum) approximation of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam lattice with a general cubic interaction force. Explicit periodic traveling wave solutions in terms of Jacobi elliptic functions are classified, and their solitary-wave, kink, and trigonometric limits are obtained. The Whitham modulation equations describing slow modulations of periodic traveling wave solutions are derived using an averaged variational principle. The convexity (strict hyperbolicity, genuine nonlinearity) of the resulting hydrodynamic-type equations is examined numerically in general and analytically in the solitary-wave and harmonic limits. In particular, the loss of hyperbolicity and the formation of complex conjugate characteristic speeds is shown to lead to modulational instability of periodic traveling waves. The onset of modulational instability is verified by numerical computations of linearized spectra for periodic traveling waves and initial value problems that also reveal additional short-wave instabilities.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2024

Solitary waves and kinks in FPU lattices with soft-hard-soft trilinear interactions

We consider a version of the classical Hamiltonian Fermi-Pasta-Ulam (FPU) problem with a trilinear force-strain relation of soft-hard-soft type that is in general non-symmetric. In addition to the classical spatially localized solitary waves, such hardening-softening model also exhibits supersonic kinks and finite-amplitude, spatially delocalized flat-top solitary waves that acquire the structure of a kink-antikink bundle when their velocity approaches the kink limit. Exploiting the fact that traveling waves are periodic modulo shift by a lattice spacing, we compute these solutions as fixed points of the corresponding nonlinear map and investigate how their properties depend on the parameter measuring the asymmetry of the problem. In a particularly interesting case when one of the soft regimes has zero elastic modulus, we obtain explicit solutions for sufficiently slow solitary waves. In contrast to conventional delocalization in the sonic limit, these compact structures mounted on a constant background become localized at the lattice scale as their velocity tends to zero. Numerical simulations of Riemann-type initial value problem in this degenerate model show the emergence of Whitham shocks that involve periodic trains of solitary waves. We investigate stability of the obtained solutions using direct numerical simulations and Floquet analysis. We also obtain explicit solutions for a quasicontinuum model that captures some important features of the discrete problem.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2024

When discrete fronts and pulses form a single family: FPU chain with hardening-softening springs

We consider a version of the classical Hamiltonian FPU (Fermi-Pasta-Ulam) problem with nonlinear force-strain relation in which a hardening response is taken over by a softening regime above a critical strain value. We show that in addition to pulses (solitary waves) this discrete system also supports non-topological and dissipation-free fronts (kinks). Moreover, we demonstrate that these two types of supersonic traveling wave solutions belong to the same family. Within this family, solitary waves exist for continuous ranges of velocity that extend up to a limiting speed corresponding to kinks. As the kink velocity limit is approached from above or below, the solitary waves become progressively more broad and acquire the structure of a kink-antikink bundle. Direct numerical simulations and Floquet analysis of linear stability suggest that all of the obtained solutions are effectively stable. To motivate and support our study of the discrete problem we also analyze a quasicontinuum approximation with temporal dispersion. We show that this model captures the main effects observed in the discrete problem both qualitatively and quantitatively.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2017

An energy-based stability criterion for solitary traveling waves in Hamiltonian lattices

In this work, we revisit a criterion, originally proposed in [Nonlinearity {\bf 17}, 207 (2004)], for the stability of solitary traveling waves in Hamiltonian, infinite-dimensional lattice dynamical systems. We discuss the implications of this criterion from the point of view of stability theory, both at the level of the spectral analysis of the advance-delay differential equations in the co-traveling frame, as well as at that of the Floquet problem arising when considering the traveling wave as a periodic orbit modulo a shift. We establish the correspondence of these perspectives for the pertinent eigenvalue and Floquet multiplier and provide explicit expressions for their dependence on the velocity of the traveling wave in the vicinity of the critical point. Numerical results are used to corroborate the relevant predictions in two different models, where the stability may change twice. Some extensions, generalizations and future directions of this investigation are also discussed.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2016

Breathers in a locally resonant granular chain with precompression

We study a locally resonant granular material in the form of a precompressed Hertzian chain with linear internal resonators. Using an asymptotic reduction, we derive an effective nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) modulation equation. This, in turn, leads us to provide analytical evidence, subsequently corroborated numerically, for the existence of two distinct types of discrete breathers related to acoustic or optical modes: (a) traveling bright breathers with a strain profile exponentially vanishing at infinity and (b) stationary and traveling dark breathers, exponentially localized, time-periodic states mounted on top of a non-vanishing background. The stability and bifurcation structure of numerically computed exact stationary dark breathers is also examined. Stationary bright breathers cannot be identified using the NLS equation, which is defocusing at the upper edges of the phonon bands and becomes linear at the lower edge of the optical band.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2015

Nonlinear waves in a strongly nonlinear resonant granular chain

We explore a recently proposed locally resonant granular system bearing harmonic internal resonators in a chain of beads interacting via Hertzian elastic contacts. In this system, we propose the existence of two types of configurations: (a) small-amplitude periodic traveling waves and (b) dark-breather solutions, i.e., exponentially localized, time periodic states mounted on top of a non-vanishing background. We also identify conditions under which the system admits long-lived bright breather solutions. Our results are obtained by means of an asymptotic reduction to a suitably modified version of the so-called discrete p-Schr{ö}dinger (DpS) equation, which is established as controllably approximating the solutions of the original system for large but finite times (under suitable assumptions on the solution amplitude and the resonator mass). The findings are also corroborated by detailed numerical computations. A remarkable feature distinguishing our results from other settings where dark breathers are observed is the complete absence of precompression in the system, i.e., the absence of a linear spectral band.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2015

Traveling Wave Solutions in a Chain of periodically Forced Couple Nonlinear Oscillators

Motivated by earlier studies of artificial perceptions of light called phosphenes, we analyze traveling wave solutions in a chain of periodically forced coupled nonlinear oscillators modeling this phenomenon. We examine the discrete model problem in its co-traveling frame and systematically obtain the corresponding traveling waves in one spatial dimension. Direct numerical simulations as well as linear stability analysis are employed to reveal the parameter regions where the traveling waves are stable, and these waves are, in turn, connected to the standing waves analyzed in earlier work. We also consider a two-dimensional extension of the model and demonstrate the robust evolution and stability of planar fronts and annihilation of radial ones. Finally, we show that solutions that initially feature two symmetric fronts with bulged centers evolve in qualitative agreement with experimental observations of phosphenes.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2013

New Solutions for Slow Moving Kinks in a Forced Frenkel-Kontorova Chain

We construct new traveling wave solutions of moving kink type for a modified, driven, dynamic Frenkel-Kontorova model, representing dislocation motion under stress. Formal solutions known so far are inadmissible for velocities below a thresh- old value. The new solutions fill the gap left by this loss of admissibility. Analytical and numerical evidence is presented for their existence; however, dynamic simulations suggest that they are probably unstable.

math.DS↗

arXiv2009

Beyond Kinetic Relations

We introduce the concept of kinetic equations representing a natural extension of the more conventional notion of a kinetic relation. Algebraic kinetic relations, widely used to model dynamics of dislocations, cracks and phase boundaries, link the instantaneous value of the velocity of a defect with an instantaneous value of the driving force. The new approach generalizes kinetic relations by implying a relation between the velocity and the driving force which is nonlocal in time. To make this relations explicit one needs to integrate the system of kinetic equations. We illustrate the difference between kinetic relation and kinetic equations by working out in full detail a prototypical model of an overdamped defect in a one-dimensional discrete lattice. We show that the minimal nonlocal kinetic description containing now an internal time scale is furnished by a system of two ordinary differential equations coupling the spatial location of defect with another internal parameter that describes configuration of the core region.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗