arXiv subjects

D. J. Frantzeskakis

Publications and source records attributed to D. J. Frantzeskakis.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Cerenkov-like radiation in a binary Schr{ö}dinger flow past an obstacle

We consider the dynamics of two coupled miscible Bose-Einstein condensates, when an obstacle is dragged through them. The existence of two different speeds of sound provides the possibility for three dynamical regimes: when both components are subcritical, we do not observe nucleation of coherent structures; when both components are supercritical they both form dark solitons in one dimension (1D) and vortices or rotating vortex dipoles in two dimensions (2D); in the intermediate regime, we observe the nucleation of a structure in the form of a dark-antidark soliton in 1D; subcritical component; the 2D analog of such a structure, a vortex-lump, is also observed.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2007

Crossover dark soliton dynamics in ultracold one-dimensional Bose gases

Ultracold confined one-dimensional atomic gases are predicted to support dark soliton solutions arising from a nonlinear Schrödinger equation of suitable nonlinearity. In weakly-interacting (high density) gases, the nonlinearity is cubic, whereas an approximate model for describing the behaviour of strongly - interacting (low density) gases is one characterized by a quintic nonlinearity. We use an approximate analytical expression for the form of the nonlinearity in the intermediate regimes to show that, near the crossover between the two different regimes, the soliton is predicted and numerically confirmed to oscillate at a frequency of $\sqrt{2/3}Ω$, where $Ω$ is the harmonic trap frequency.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2006

Modulational instability in a layered Kerr medium: Theory and Experiment

We present the first experimental investigation of modulational instability in a layered Kerr medium. The particularly interesting and appealing feature of our configuration, consisting of alternating glass-air layers, is the piecewise-constant nature of the material properties, which allows a theoretical linear stability analysis leading to a Kronig-Penney equation whose forbidden bands correspond to the modulationally unstable regimes. We find very good {\it quantitative} agreement between theoretical, numerical, and experimental diagnostics of the modulational instability. Because of the periodicity in the evolution variable arising from the layered medium, there are multiple instability regions rather than just one as in the uniform medium.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2006

Fractional-Period Excitations in Continuum Periodic Systems

We investigate the generation of fractional-period states in continuum periodic systems. As an example, we consider a Bose-Einstein condensate confined in an optical-lattice potential. We show that when the potential is turned on non-adiabatically, the system explores a number of transient states whose periodicity is a fraction of that of the lattice. We illustrate the origin of fractional-period states analytically by treating them as resonant states of a parametrically forced Duffing oscillator and discuss their transient nature and potential observability.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2006

Dark Solitons in Discrete Lattices: Saturable versus Cubic Nonlinearities

In the present work, we study dark solitons in dynamical lattices with the saturable nonlinearity and compare them with those in lattices with the cubic nonlinearity. This comparison has become especially relevant in light of recent experimental developments in the former context. The stability properties of the fundamental waves, for both on-site and inter-site modes, are examined analytically and corroborated by numerical results. Furthermore, their dynamical evolution when they are found to be unstable is obtained through appropriately crafted numerical experiments.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2006

Exact static solutions for discrete $ϕ^4$ models free of the Peierls-Nabarro barrier: Discretized first integral approach

We propose a generalization of the discrete Klein-Gordon models free of the Peierls-Nabarro barrier derived in Nonlinearity {\bf 12}, 1373 (1999) and Phys. Rev. E {\bf 72}, 035602(R) (2005), such that they support not only kinks but a one-parameter set of exact static solutions. These solutions can be obtained iteratively from a two-point nonlinear map whose role is played by the discretized first integral of the static Klein-Gordon field, as suggested in J. Phys. A {\bf 38}, 7617 (2005). We then discuss some discrete $ϕ^4$ models free of the Peierls-Nabarro barrier and identify for them the full space of available static solutions, including those derived recently in Phys. Rev. E {\bf 72} 036605 (2005) but not limited to them. These findings are also relevant to standing wave solutions of discrete nonlinear Schr{ö}dinger models. We also study stability of the obtained solutions. As an interesting aside, we derive the list of solutions to the continuum $ϕ^4$ equation that fill the entire two-dimensional space of parameters obtained as the continuum limit of the corresponding space of the discrete models.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2006

Discrete surface solitons in two dimensions

We investigate fundamental localized modes in 2D lattices with an edge (surface). Interaction with the edge expands the stability area for ordinary solitons, and induces a difference between perpendicular and parallel dipoles; on the contrary, lattice vortices cannot exist too close to the border. Furthermore, we show analytically and numerically that the edge stabilizes a novel wave species, which is entirely unstable in the uniform lattice, namely, a "horseshoe" soliton, consisting of 3 sites. Unstable horseshoes transform themselves into a pair of ordinary solitons.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2006

Mobility of Discrete Solitons in Quadratically Nonlinear Media

We study the mobility of solitons in second-harmonic-generating lattices. Contrary to what is known for their cubic counterparts, discrete quadratic solitons are mobile not only in the one-dimensional (1D) setting, but also in two dimensions (2D). We identify parametric regions where an initial kick applied to a soliton leads to three possible outcomes, namely, staying put, persistent motion, or destruction. For the 2D lattice, it is found that, for the solitary waves, the direction along which they can sustain the largest kick and can attain the largest speed is the diagonal. Basic dynamical properties of the discrete solitons are also discussed in the context of an analytical approximation, in terms of an effective Peierls-Nabarro potential in the lattice setting.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2006

Symmetry Breaking in Symmetric and Asymmetric Double-Well Potentials

Motivated by recent experimental studies of matter-waves and optical beams in double well potentials, we study the solutions of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation in such a context. Using a Galerkin-type approach, we obtain a detailed handle on the nonlinear solution branches of the problem, starting from the corresponding linear ones and predict the relevant bifurcations of solutions for both attractive and repulsive nonlinearities. The results illustrate the nontrivial differences that arise between the steady states/bifurcations emerging in symmetric and asymmetric double wells.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2006

Skyrmion-like excitations in dynamical lattices

We construct discrete analogs of Skyrmions in nonlinear dynamical lattices. The Skyrmion is built as a vortex soliton of a complex field, coupled to a dark radial soliton of a real field. Adjusting the Skyrmion ansatz to the lattice setting allows us to construct a "baby-Skyrmion" in two dimensions (2D) and extend it into the 3D case (1D counterparts of the Skyrmions are also found). Stability limits for these patterns are obtained analytically and verified numerically. The dynamics of unstable discrete Skyrmions is explored, and their stabilization by external potentials is discussed.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2006

X,Y,Z-Waves: Extended Structures in Nonlinear Lattices

Motivated by recent experimental and theoretical results on optical X-waves, we propose a new type of waveforms in 2D and 3D discrete media -- multi-legged extended nonlinear structures (ENS), built as arrays of lattice solitons (tiles or stones, in the 2D and 3D cases, respectively). First, we study the stability of the tiles and stones analytically, and then extend them numerically to complete ENS forms for both 2D and 3D lattices. The predicted patterns are relevant to a variety of physical settings, such as Bose-Einstein condensates in deep optical lattices, lattices built of microresonators, photorefractive crystals with optically induced lattices (in the 2D case) and others.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2006

Statics and Dynamics of an Inhomogeneously-Nonlinear Lattice

We introduce an inhomogeneously-nonlinear Schr{ö}dinger lattice, featuring a defocusing segment, a focusing segment and a transitional interface between the two. We illustrate that such inhomogeneous settings present vastly different dynamical behavior than the one expected in their homogeneous counterparts in the vicinity of the interface. We analyze the relevant stationary states, as well as their stability by means of perturbation theory and linear stability analysis. We find good agreement with the numerical findings in the vicinity of the anti-continuum limit. For larger values of the coupling, we follow the relevant branches numerically and show that they terminate at values of the coupling strength which are larger for more extended solutions. The dynamical development of relevant instabilities is also monitored in the case of unstable solutions.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2005

Polarobreathers in soft potentials

We consider polarons in models of coupled electronic and vibrational degrees of freedom, in the presence of a soft nonlinear inter-particle potential (Morse potential). In particular, we focus on a a bound state of a polaron with a breather, a so-called ``polarobreather''. We analyze the existence of this branch based on frequency resonance conditions and illustrate its stability using Floquet spectrum techniques. Multi-site solutions of this type are also obtained both in the stationary case (two-site polarons) and in the breathing case (two-site polarobreathers). We also obtain a different branch of solutions, namely a polaronic nanopteron.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2005

Dynamics and Manipulation of Matter-Wave Solitons in Optical Superlattices

We analyze the existence and stability of bright, dark, and gap matter-wave solitons in optical superlattices. Then, using these properties, we show that (time-dependent) ``dynamical superlattices'' can be used to controllably place, guide, and manipulate these solitons. In particular, we use numerical experiments to displace solitons by turning on a secondary lattice structure, transfer solitons from one location to another by shifting one superlattice substructure relative to the other, and implement solitonic ``path-following'', in which a matter wave follows the time-dependent lattice substructure into oscillatory motion.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2005

Stability of dark solitons in a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in an optical lattice

We investigate the stability of dark solitons (DSs) in an effectively one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate in the presence of the magnetic parabolic trap and an optical lattice (OL). The analysis is based on both the full Gross-Pitaevskii equation and its tight-binding approximation counterpart (discrete nonlinear Schr{ö}dinger equation). We find that DSs are subject to weak instabilities with an onset of instability mainly governed by the period and amplitude of the OL. The instability, if present, sets in at large times and it is characterized by quasi-periodic oscillations of the DS about the minimum of the parabolic trap.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2005

Trapping and transmission of matter-wave solitons in a collisionally inhomogeneous environment

We investigate bright matter-wave solitons in the presence of a spatially varying scattering length. It is demonstrated that, even in the absence of any external trapping potential, a soliton can be confined due to the inhomogeneous collisional interactions. Moreover we observe the enhanced transmission of matter-wave solitons through potential barriers for suitably chosen spatial variations of the scattering length. The results indicate that the manipulation of atomic interactions can become a versatile tool to control the dynamics of matter waves.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2005

Discrete Solitons and Vortices on Anisotropic Lattices

We consider effects of anisotropy on solitons of various types in two-dimensional nonlinear lattices, using the discrete nonlinear Schr{ö}dinger equation as a paradigm model. For fundamental solitons, we develop a variational approximation, which predicts that broad quasi-continuum solitons are unstable, while their strongly anisotropic counterparts are stable. By means of numerical methods, it is found that, in the general case, the fundamental solitons and simplest on-site-centered vortex solitons ("vortex crosses") feature enhanced or reduced stability areas, depending on the strength of the anisotropy. More surprising is the effect of anisotropy on the so-called "super-symmetric" intersite-centered vortices ("vortex squares"), with the topological charge $S$ equal to the square's size $M$: we predict in an analytical form by means of the Lyapunov-Schmidt theory, and confirm by numerical results, that arbitrarily weak anisotropy results in dramatic changes in the stability and dynamics in comparison with the \emph{degenerate}, in this case, isotropic limit.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2005

Matter-wave solitons of collisionally inhomogeneous condensates

We investigate the dynamics of matter-wave solitons in the presence of a spatially varying atomic scattering length and nonlinearity. The dynamics of bright and dark solitary waves is studied using the corresponding Gross-Pitaevskii equation. The numerical results are shown to be in very good agreement with the predictions of the effective equations of motion derived by adiabatic perturbation theory. The spatially dependent nonlinearity leads to a gravitational potential that allows to influence the motion of both fundamental as well as higher order solitons.

cond-mat.other↗