arXiv subjects

Panayotis G. Kevrekidis

Publications and source records attributed to Panayotis G. Kevrekidis.

117 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

High-speed kinks in a generalized discrete $ϕ^4$ model

We consider a generalized discrete $ϕ^4$ model and demonstrate that it can support exact moving kink solutions in the form of tanh with an arbitrarily large velocity. The constructed exact moving solutions are dependent on the specific value of the propagation velocity. We demonstrate that in this class of models, given a specific velocity, the problem of finding the exact moving solution is integrable. Namely, this problem originally expressed as a three-point map can be reduced to a two-point map, from which the exact moving solutions can be derived iteratively. It was also found that these high-speed kinks can be stable and robust against perturbations introduced in the initial conditions.

nlin.SI↗

arXiv2007

Exact static solutions to a translationally invariant discrete $ϕ^4$ model

For a discrete, translationally-invariant $ϕ^4$ model introduced by Barashenkov {\it et al.} [Phys. Rev. E {\bf 72}, 35602R (2005)], we provide the momentum conservation law and demonstrate how the first integral of the static version of the discrete model can be constructed from a Jacobi elliptic function (JEF) solution. The first integral can be written in the form of a nonlinear map from which {\it any} static solution supported by the model can be constructed. A set of JEF solutions, including the staggered ones, is derived. We also report on the stability analysis for the static bounded solutions and exemplify the dynamical behavior of the unstable solutions. This work provides a road-map, through this illustrative example, on how to fully analyze translationally-invariant models in terms of their static problem, its first integral, their full-set of static solutions and associated conservation laws.

nlin.SI↗

arXiv2006

Dark solitons in external potentials

We consider the persistence and stability of dark solitons in the Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equation with a small decaying potential. We show that families of black solitons with zero speed originate from extremal points of an appropriately defined effective potential and persist for sufficiently small strength of the potential. We prove that families at the maximum points are generally unstable with exactly one real positive eigenvalue, while families at the minimum points are generally unstable with exactly two complex-conjugated eigenvalues with positive real part. This mechanism of destabilization of the black soliton is confirmed in numerical approximations of eigenvalues of the linearized GP equation and full numerical simulations of the nonlinear GP equation with cubic nonlinearity. We illustrate the monotonic instability associated with the real eigenvalues and the oscillatory instability associated with the complex eigenvalues and compare the numerical results of evolution of a dark soliton with the predictions of Newton's particle law for its position.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2006

Comparative Study of Different Discretizations of the $ϕ^4$ Model

We examine various recently proposed discretizations of the well-known $ϕ^4$ field theory. We compare and contrast the properties of their fundamental solutions including the nature of their kink-type solitary waves and the spectral properties of the linearization around such waves. We study these features as a function of the lattice spacing $h$, as one deviates from the continuum limit of $h \to 0$. We then proceed to a more ``stringent'' comparison of the models, by discussing the scattering properties of a kink-antikink pair for the different discretizations. These collisions are well-known to possess properties that quite sensitively depend on the initial speed even at the continuum limit. We examine how typical model behaviors are modified in the presence (and as a function) of discreteness and attempt to extract qualitative trends and issue pertinent warnings about some of the surprising resulting properties.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2004

Motion of discrete solitons assisted by nonlinearity management

We demonstrate that periodic modulation of the nonlinearity coefficient in the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equation can strongly facilitate creation of traveling solitons in the lattice. We predict this possibility in an analytical form, and test it in direct simulations. Systematic simulations reveal several generic dynamical regimes, depending on the amplitude and frequency of the time modulation, and on initial thrust which sets the soliton in motion. These regimes include irregular motion, regular motion of a decaying soliton, and regular motion of a stable one. The motion may occur in both the straight and reverse directions, relative to the initial thrust. In the case of stable motion, extremely long simulations in a lattice with periodic boundary conditions demonstrate that the soliton keeps moving as long as we can monitor without any visible loss. Velocities of moving stable solitons are in good agreement with the analytical prediction, which is based on requiring a resonance between the ac drive and motion of the soliton through the periodic potential. All the generic dynamical regimes are mapped in the model's parameter space. Collisions between moving stable solitons are briefly investigated too, with a conclusion that two different outcomes are possible: elastic bounce, or bounce with mass transfer from one soliton to the other. The model can be realized experimentally in a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a deep optical lattice.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2003

Instabilities and Bifurcations of Nonlinear Impurity Modes

We study the structure and stability of nonlinear impurity modes in the discrete nonlinear Schr{ö}dinger equation with a single on-site nonlinear impurity emphasizing the effects of interplay between discreteness, nonlinearity and disorder. We show how the interaction of a nonlinear localized mode (a discrete soliton or discrete breather) with a repulsive impurity generates a family of stationary states near the impurity site, as well as examine both theoretical and numerical criteria for the transition between different localized states via a cascade of bifurcations.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2002

Using the Continuous Spectrum to "Feel" Integrability: the Effect of Boundary Conditions

The scope of this work is to propose a method for testing the integrability of a model partial differential (PDE) and/or differential difference equation (DDE). For monoparametric families of PDE/DDE's, that are known to possess isolated integrable points, we find that very special features occur in the continuous (``phonon'') spectrum at these ``singular'' points. We identify these features in the case example of a PDE and a DDE (that sustain front and pulse-like solutions respectively) for different types of boundary conditions. The key finding of the work is that such spectral features are generic near the singular, integrable points and hence we propose to explore a given PDE/DDE for such traits, as a means of assessing its potential integrability.

nlin.SI↗

arXiv2002

Deciding the Nature of the "Coarse Equation" through Microscopic Simulations: the Baby-Bathwater Scheme

Recent developments in multiscale computation allow the solution of ``coarse equations'' for the expected macroscopic behavior of microscopically/stochastically evolving particle distributions without ever obtaining these coarse equations in closed form. The closure is obtained ``on demand'' through appropriately initialized bursts of microscopic simulation. The effective coupling of microscopic simulators with macrosocopic behavior embodied in this approach requires certain decisions about the nature of the unavailable ``coarse equation''. Such decisions include (a) the determination of the highest spatial derivative active in the equation, (b) whether the coarse equation satisfies certain conservation laws, and (c) whether the coarse dynamics is Hamiltonian. These decisions affect the number and type of boundary conditions as well as the nature of the algorithms employed in good solution practice. In the absence of an explicit formula for the temporal derivative, we propose, implement and validate a simple scheme for deciding these and other similar questions about the coarse equation using only the microscopic simulator. Microscopic simulations under periodic boundary conditions are carried out for appropriately chosen families of random initial conditions; evaluating the sample variance of certain statistics over the simulation ensemble allows us to infer the highest order of spatial derivatives active in the coarse equation. In the same spirit we show how to determine whether a certain coarse conservation law exists or not, and we discuss plausibility tests for the existence of a coarse Hamiltonian or integrability. We argue that such schemes constitute an important part of the equation-free approach to multiscale computation.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2002

Scattering of a solitary pulse on a local defect or breather

A model is introduced to describe guided propagation of a linear or nonlinear pulse which encounters a localized nonlinear defect, that may be either static or breather-like one (the model with the static defect applies to an optical pulse in a long fiber link with an inserted additional section of a nonlinear fiber). In the case when the host waveguide is linear, the pulse has a Gaussian shape. In that case, an immediate result of its interaction with the nonlinear defect can be found in an exact analytical form, amounting to transformation of the incoming Gaussian into an infinite array of overlapping Gaussian pulses. Further evolution of the array in the linear host medium is found numerically by means of the Fourier transform. An important ingredient of the linear medium is the third-order dispersion, that eventually splits the array into individual pulses. If the host medium is nonlinear, the input pulse is taken as a fundamental soliton. The soliton is found to be much more resistant to the action of the nonlinear defect than the Gaussian pulse in the linear host medium. In this case, the third-order-dispersion splits the soliton proper and wavepackets generated by the action of the defect.

nlin.PS↗