arXiv subjects

Martin van Hecke

Publications and source records attributed to Martin van Hecke.

102 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

Effect of boundaries on the force distributions in granular media

The effect of boundaries on the force distributions in granular media is illustrated by simulations of 2D packings of frictionless, Hertzian spheres. To elucidate discrepancies between experimental observations and theoretical predictions, we distinguish between the weight distribution {\cal P} (w) measured in experiments and analyzed in the q-model, and the distribution of interparticle forces P(f). The latter one is robust, while {\cal P}(w) can be obtained once the local packing geometry and P(f) are known. By manipulating the (boundary) geometry, we show that {\cal P}(w) can be varied drastically.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2001

Breakdown of universality in transitions to spatio-temporal chaos

In this Letter we show that the transition from laminar to active behavior in extended chaotic systems can vary from a continuous transition in the universality class of Directed Percolation with infinitely many absorbing states to what appears as a first order transition. The latter occurs when {\em finite} lifetime non-chaotic structures, called ``solitons'', dominate the dynamics. We illustrate this scenario in an extension of the deterministic Chaté--Manneville coupled map lattice model and in a soliton including variant of the stochastic Domany-Kinzel cellular automaton.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2001

Composite "zigzag" structures in the 1D complex Ginzburg-Landau equation

We study the dynamics of the one-dimensional complex Ginzburg Landau equation (CGLE) in the regime where holes and defects organize themselves into composite superstructures which we call zigzags. Extensive numerical simulations of the CGLE reveal a wide range of dynamical zigzag behavior which we summarize in a `phase diagram'. We have performed a numerical linear stability and bifurcation analysis of regular zigzag structures which reveals that traveling zigzags bifurcate from stationary zigzags via a pitchfork bifurcation. This bifurcation changes from supercritical (forward) to subcritical (backward) as a function of the CGLE coefficients, and we show the relevance of this for the `phase diagram'. Our findings indicate that in the zigzag parameter regime of the CGLE, the transition between defect-rich and defect-poor states is governed by bifurcations of the zigzag structures.

nlin.PS↗

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

Dynamical models for sand ripples beneath surface waves

We introduce order parameter models for describing the dynamics of sand ripple patterns under oscillatory flow. A crucial ingredient of these models is the mass transport between adjacent ripples, which we obtain from detailed numerical simulations for a range of ripple sizes. Using this mass transport function, our models predict the existence of a stable band of wavenumbers limited by secondary instabilities. Small ripples coarsen in our models and this process leads to a sharply selected final wavenumber, in agreement with experimental observations.

cond-mat↗

arXiv2001

Ordered and self-disordered dynamics of holes and defects in the one-dimensional complex Ginzburg-Landau equation

We study the dynamics of holes and defects in the 1D complex Ginzburg--Landau equation in ordered and chaotic cases. Ordered hole--defect dynamics occurs when an unstable hole invades a plane wave state and periodically nucleates defects from which new holes are born. The results of a detailed numerical study of these periodic states are incorporated into a simple analytic description of isolated "edge" holes. Extending this description, we obtain a minimal model for general hole--defect dynamics. We show that interactions between the holes and a self--disordered background are essential for the occurrence of spatiotemporal chaos in hole--defect states.

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↗

arXiv1999

Sources, sinks and wavenumber selection in coupled CGL equations and experimental implications for counter-propagating wave systems

We study the coupled complex Ginzburg-Landau (CGL) equations for traveling wave systems in the regime where sources and sinks separate patches of left and right-traveling waves. We show that sources and sinks are the important coherent structures that organize much of the dynamical properties of traveling wave systems. We present in detail the framework to analyze these coherent structures. Our counting arguments for the multiplicities of these structures show that independently of the coefficients of the CGL, there exists a symmetric stationary source solution, which sends out waves with a unique frequency and wave number. Sinks, on the other hand, occur in two-parameter families, and play an essentially passive role. Simulations show that sources can send out stable waves, convectively unstable waves, or absolutely unstable waves. We show that there exists an additional dynamical regime where both single- and bimodal states are unstable; the ensuing chaotic states have no counterpart in single amplitude equations. A third dynamical mechanism is associated with the fact that the width of the sources does not show simple scaling with the growth rate epsilon. In particular, when the group velocity term dominates over the linear growth term, no stationary source can exist, but sources displaying nontrivial dynamics can survive here. Our results are easily accessible by experiments, and we advocate a study of the sources and sinks as a means to probe traveling wave systems and compare theory and experiment.

patt-sol↗

arXiv1997

The Building Blocks of Spatiotemporal Intermittency

We obtain a family of uniformly propagating hole-solutions to the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation which differ from the well-known Nozaki-Bekki holes. They describe the spatial organization and velocity of the dominant local structures in the spatiotemporal intermittent regime. We discuss the phenomenology of these intermittent states in terms of the properties of the local structures.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1996

Sources and sinks separating domains of left- and right-traveling waves: Experiment versus amplitude equations

In many pattern forming systems that exhibit traveling waves, sources and sinks occur which separate patches of oppositely traveling waves. We show that simple qualitative features of their dynamics can be compared to predictions from coupled amplitude equations. In heated wire convection experiments, we find a discrepancy between the observed multiplicity of sources and theoretical predictions. The expression for the observed motion of sinks is incompatible with any amplitude equation description.

patt-sol↗

arXiv1996

Convection in rotating annuli: Ginzburg-Landau equations with tunable coefficients

The coefficients of the complex Ginzburg-Landau equations that describe weakly nonlinear convection in a large rotating annulus are calculated for a range of Prandtl numbers $σ$. For fluids with $σ\approx 0.15$, we show that the rotation rate can tune the coefficients of the corresponding amplitude equations from regimes where coherent patterns prevail to regimes of spatio-temporal chaos.

patt-sol↗

arXiv1994

Front propagation into unstable and metastable states in Smectic C* liquid crystals: linear and nonlinear marginal stability analysis

We discuss the front propagation in ferroelectric chiral smectics (SmC*) subjected to electric and magnetic fields applied parallel to smectic layers. The reversal of the electric field induces the motion of domain walls or fronts that propagate into either an unstable or a metastable state. In both regimes, the front velocity is calculated exactly. Depending on the field, the speed of a front propagating into the unstable state is given either by the so-called linear marginal stability velocity or by the nonlinear marginal stability expression. The cross-over between these two regimes can be tuned by a magnetic field. The influence of initial conditions on the velocity selection problem can also be studied in such experiments. SmC$^*$ therefore offers a unique opportunity to study different aspects of front propagation in an experimental system.

patt-sol↗