In: P.G. Kevrekidis and J. Cuevas-Maraver (eds) A Dynamical Perspective on the $ϕ^4$ Model. Nonlinear Systems and Complexity, vol 26. Springer, Cham. (2019)
We touch upon the wide topic of discrete breather formation with a special emphasis on the the $ϕ^4$ model. We start by introducing the model and discussing some of the application areas/motivational aspects of exploring time periodic, spatially localized structures, such as the discrete breathers. Our main emphasis is on the existence, and especially on the stability features of such solutions. We explore their spectral stability numerically, as well as in special limits (such as the vicinity of the so-called anti-continuum limit of vanishing coupling) analytically. We also provide and explore a simple, yet powerful stability criterion involving the sign of the derivative of the energy vs. frequency dependence of such solutions. We then turn our attention to nonlinear stability, bringing forth the importance of a topological notion, namely the Krein signature. Furthermore, we briefly touch upon linearly and nonlinearly unstable dynamics of such states. Some special aspects/extensions of such structures are only touched upon, including moving breathers and dissipative variations of the model and some possibilities for future work are highlighted.
Discrete breathers are ubiquitous structures in nonlinear anharmonic models ranging from the prototypical example of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam model to Klein-Gordon nonlinear lattices, among many others. We propose a general criterion for the emergence of instabilities of discrete breathers analogous to the well-established Vakhitov-Kolokolov criterion for solitary waves. The criterion involves the change of monotonicity of the discrete breather's energy as a function of the breather frequency. Our analysis suggests and numerical results corroborate that breathers with increasing (decreasing) energ…
The mobility of high-frequency discrete breathers in monatomic chains with nonlinear interatomic potentials of the nearest neighbours is considered. It was found that the odd (cubic and fifth) anharmonicity strongly affects the mobility of breathers, sharply increasing the distance that it propagates without being trapped. It was also found that the correctly chosen fifth anharmonicity leads to an inversion of stability between the bond-centred and site-centers breathers and to the low-radiative propagation of discrete breathers along the chain.
Linear wave equations on flat band networks host compact localized eigenstates (CLS). Nonlinear wave equations on translationally invariant flat band networks can host compact discrete breathers - time periodic and spatially compact localized solutions. Such solutions can appear as one-parameter families of continued linear compact eigenstates, or as discrete sets on families of non-compact discrete breathers, or even on purely dispersive networks with fine-tuned nonlinear dispersion. In all cases, their existence relies on destructive interference. We use CLS amplitude distribution properties…
We study discrete breathers in prototypical nonlinear oscillator networks subjected to non-harmonic zero-mean periodic excitations. We show how the generation of stationary and moving discrete breathers are optimally controlled by solely varying the impulse transmitted by the periodic excitations, while keeping constant the excitation's amplitude and period. Our theoretical and numerical results show that the enhancer effect of increasing values of the excitation's impulse, in the sense of facilitating the generation of stationary and moving breathers, is due to a correlative increase of the b…
Artificial intelligence in the form of deep learning is now very popular and directly implemented in many areas of science and technology. In the present work we study time evolution of Discrete Breathers in one-dimensional nonlinear chains using the framework of Convolutional Neural Networks. We focus on differentiating discrete breathers which are localized nonlinear modes from linearized phonon modes. The breathers are localized in space and time-periodic solutions of non-linear discrete lattices while phonons are the linear collective oscillations of interacting atoms and molecules. We sho…
We propose a new mechanism of long-range coupling to excite low-frequency discrete breathers without the on-site potential. This mechanism is universal in long-range systems irrespective of the spatial boundary conditions, of topology of the inner degree of freedom, and of precise forms of the coupling functions. The limit of large population is theoretically discussed for the periodic boundary condition. Existence of discrete breathers is numerically demonstrated with stability analysis.
A remark on the existence of breather solutions for the Discrete Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation in infinite lattices: The case of site dependent anharmonic parameter
In the present work, we develop a systematic examination of the existence, stability and dynamical properties of a discrete breather at the interface between a diatomic and a monoatomic granular chain. We remarkably find that such an "interface breather" is more robust than its bulk diatomic counterpart throughout the gap of the linear spectrum. The latter linear spectral gap needs to exist for the breather state to arise and the relevant spectral conditions are discussed. We illustrate the minimal excitation conditions under which such an interface breather can be "nucleated" and analyze its …
The dynamics of static and travelling breathers in two-species Bose-Einstein condensates in a one-dimensional optical lattice is modelled within the tight-binding approximation. Two coupled discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equations describe the interaction of the condensates in two cases of relevance: a mixture of two ytterbium isotopes and a mixture of $^{87}$Rb and $^{41}$K. Depending on their initial separation, interaction between static breathers of different species can lead to the formation of symbiotic structures and transform one of the breathers from a static into a travelling one. Co…
In the present work we revisit the existence, stability and dynamical properties of moving discrete breathers in $β$-FPU lattices. On the existence side, we propose a numerical procedure, based on a continuation along a sequence of velocities, that allows to systematically construct breathers traveling more than one lattice site per period. On the stability side, we explore the stability spectrum of the obtained waveforms via Floquet analysis and connect it to the energy-frequency bifurcation diagrams. We illustrate in this context examples of the energy being a multivalued function of the fre…
Interaction of moving discrete breathers with vacancies
本文采用具有非线性相互作用势的Frenkel-Kontorova模型来描述晶体中的空位缺陷。根据最近的数值结果[Cuevas等人，Phys. Lett. A 315，364（2003）]，当空位与移动的呼吸器相互作用时，空位可以迁移。我们更深入地研究了运动呼吸子与单空位和双空位相互作用所引起的唯象。我们发现，空位的流动性是强烈相关的存在和稳定性的固定呼吸中心的粒子附近的空位，我们现在将称为空位呼吸。
We report on the existence of discrete breathers in a one-dimensional, mass-in-mass chain with linear intersite coupling and nonlinear Hertzian local resonators, which is motivated by recent studies of the dynamics of microspheres adhered to elastic substrates. After predicting theoretically the existence of the discrete breathers in the continuum and anticontinuum limits of intersite coupling, we use numerical continuation to compute a family of breathers interpolating between the two regimes in a finite chain, where the displacement profiles of the breathers are localized around one or two l…
We report the experimental observation of discrete breathers in a one-dimensional diatomic granular crystal composed of compressed elastic beads that interact via Hertzian contact. We first characterize their effective linear spectrum both theoretically and experimentally. We then illustrate theoretically and numerically the modulational instability of the lower edge of the optical band. This leads to the dynamical formation of long-lived breather structures, whose families of solutions we compute throughout the linear spectral gap. Finally, we observe experimentally such localized breathing m…
We consider the existence and spectral stability of multi-breather structures in the discrete Klein-Gordon equation, both for soft and hard symmetric potentials. To obtain analytical results, we project the system onto a finite-dimensional Hilbert space consisting of the first $M$ Fourier modes, for arbitrary $M$. On this approximate system, we then take a spatial dynamics approach and use Lin's method to construct multi-breathers from a sequence of well-separated copies of the primary, single-site breather. We then locate the eigenmodes in the Floquet spectrum associated with the interaction …
The occurrence of single- or multisite localized vibrational modes, also called Discrete Breathers (DBs), in 2D hexagonal dusty plasma (DP) lattices is investigated. The system is described by a Klein-Gordon hexagonal lattice characterized by a negative coupling parameter $\e$ in account of its inverse dispersive behavior. A theoretical analysis is performed in order to establish the possibility of existence of single- as well as three-site DBs in such systems. The study is complemented by a numerical investigation based on experimentally provided potential forms. This investigation shows that…
We discuss the existence of breathers and lower bounds on their power, in nonlinear Schrödinger lattices with nonlinear hopping. Our methods extend from a simple variational approach to fixed point arguments, deriving lower bounds for the power which can serve as a threshold for the existence of breather solutions. Qualitatively, the theoretical results justify non-existence of breathers below the prescribed lower bounds of the power which depend on the dimension, the parameters of the lattice as well as of the frequency of breathers. In the case of supercritical power nonlinearities we invest…
In this paper, interstitial migration generated by scattering with a mobile breather is investigated numerically in a Frenkel-Kontorova one-dimensional lattice. Consistent with experimental results it is shown that interstitial diffusion is more likely and faster than vacancy diffusion. Our simulations support the hypothesis that a long-range energy transport mechanism involving moving nonlinear vibrational excitations may significantly enhance the mobility of point defects in a crystal lattice.
We study experimentally and numerically the existence and stability properties of discrete breathers in a periodic nonlinear electric line. The electric line is composed of single cell nodes, containing a varactor diode and an inductor, coupled together in a periodic ring configuration through inductors and driven uniformly by a harmonic external voltage source. A simple model for each cell is proposed by using a nonlinear form for the varactor characteristics through the current and capacitance dependence on the voltage. For an electrical line composed of 32 elements, we find the regions, in …
We construct a nonlinear lattice that has a particular symmetry in its potential function consisting of long-range pairwise interactions. The symmetry enhances smooth propagation of discrete breathers, and it is defined by an invariance of the potential function with respect to a map acting on the complex normal mode coordinates. Condition of the symmetry is given by a set of algebraic equations with respect to coefficients of the pairwise interactions. We prove that the set of algebraic equations has a unique solution, and moreover we solve it explicitly. We present an explicit Hamiltonian fo…
We examine the dynamics of strongly localized periodic solutions (discrete breathers) in two-dimensional array of coupled finite one-dimensional chains of oscillators. Localization patterns with both single and multiple localization sites (multibreathers) are considered. The model is scalar, i.e. each particle can move only parallel to the axis of the chain it belongs to. The model involves symmetric parabolic on-site potential with rigid constraints (the displacement domain of each particle is finite) and a linear nearest-neighbor coupling in the chain, and also between the neighbors in adjac…
We consider the two-dimensional Fermi-Pasta-Ulam lattice with hexagonal honeycomb symmetry, which is a Hamiltonian system describing the evolution of a scalar-valued quantity subject to nearest neighbour interactions. Using multiple-scale analysis we reduce the governing lattice equations to a nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation coupled to a second equation for an accompanying slow mode. Two cases in which the latter equation can be solved and so the system decoupled are considered in more detail: firstly, in the case of a symmetric potential, we derive the form of moving breathers. We find a…
We consider a chain of torsionally-coupled, planar pendula shaken horizontally by an external sinusoidal driver. It has been known that in such a system, theoretically modeled by the discrete sine-Gordon equation, intrinsic localized modes, also known as discrete breathers, can exist. Recently, the existence of multifrequency breathers via subharmonic driving has been theoretically proposed and numerically illustrated by Xu {\em et al.} in Phys. Rev. E {\bf 90}, 042921 (2014). In this paper, we verify this prediction experimentally. Comparison of the experimental results to numerical simulatio…
We consider a previously experimentally realized discrete model that describes a mechanical metamaterial consisting of a chain of pairs of rigid units connected by flexible hinges. Upon analyzing the linear band structure of the model, we identify parameter regimes in which this system may possess discrete breather solutions with frequencies inside the gap between optical and acoustic dispersion bands. We compute numerically exact solutions of this type for several different parameter regimes and investigate their properties and stability. Our findings demonstrate that upon appropriate paramet…
The existence and stability of dissipative breathers in rf SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) arrays is investigated numerically. In such arrays, the nonlinearity which is intrinsic to each SQUID, along with the weak magnetic coupling of each SQUID to its nearest neighbors, result in the formation of discrete breathers. We analyze several discrete breather excitations in rf SQUID arrays driven by alternating flux sources in the presence of losses. The delicate balance between internal power losses and input power, results in the formation of dissipative discrete breather (DDB)…
A group-theoretical approach for studying localized periodic and quasiperiodic vibrations in 2D and 3D lattice dynamical models is developed. This approach is demonstrated for the scalar models on the plane square lattice. The symmetry-determined invariant manifolds admitting existence of localized vibrations are found and some types of discrete breathers are constructed on these manifolds. A general method using the apparatus of matrix representations of symmetry groups to simplify the standard linear stability analysis is discussed. This method allows one to decompose the corresponding syste…
In strained monoatomic chains with Lennard-Jones interactions, we revealed a stable static non-homogeneous structure appearing as a result of a certain phase transition. Positions of individual particles in this structure form an exact arithmetic progression whose difference depends on the value of the strain. For N-particle chain, this structure is characterized by one long and N-1 short interatomic distances (bonds). In the vicinity of the static structure, we found discrete breathers of new type which essentially differ from the traditional breathers in the form of Sievers-Takeno and Page m…
By applying a staggered driving force in a prototypical discrete model with a quartic nonlinearity, we demonstrate the spontaneous formation and destruction of discrete breathers with a selected frequency due to thermal fluctuations. The phenomenon exhibits the striking features of stochastic resonance (SR): a nonmonotonic behavior as noise is increased and breather generation under subthreshold conditions. The corresponding peak is associated with a matching between the external driving frequency and the breather frequency at the average energy given by ambient temperature.
We explore dynamics of discrete breathers and multi-breathers in finite one-dimensional chain. The model involves parabolic on-site potential with rigid constraints and linear nearest-neighbor coupling. The rigid non-ideal impact constraints are the only source of nonlinearity and damping in the model. The model allows derivation of exact analytic solutions for the breathers and multi-breathers with arbitrary set of localization sites, both in conservative and forced-damped settings. We choose periodic boundary conditions; exact solutions for other types of the boundary conditions are also pos…
We study theoretically the existence of bulk and surface discrete breathers in a one-dimensional magnetic metamaterial comprised of a periodic binary array of split-ring resonators. The two types of resonators differ in the size of their slits and this leads to different resonant frequencies. In the framework of the rotating-wave approximation (RWA) we construct several types of breather excitations for both the energy-conserved and the dissipative-driven systems by continuation of trivial breather solutions from the anticontinuous limit to finite couplings. Numerically-exact computations that…
We present a family of discrete breathers, which exists in a nonlinear polarizability model of ferroelectric materials. The core-shell model is set up in its non-dimensionalized Hamiltonian form and its linear spectrum is examined. Subsequently, seeking localized solutions in the gap of the linear spectrum, we establish that numerically exact and potentially stable discrete breathers exist for a wide range of frequencies therein. In addition, we present nonlinear normal mode, extended spatial profile solutions from which the breathers bifurcate, as well as other associated phenomena such as th…
So far, only the energy thresholds of single discrete breathers in nonlinear Hamiltonian systems have been analytically obtained. In this work, the energy thresholds of discrete breathers in thermal equilibrium and the energy thresholds of long-lived discrete breathers which can remain after a long time relaxation are analytically estimated for nonlinear chains. These energy thresholds are size dependent. The energy thresholds of discrete breathers in thermal equilibrium are same as the previous analytical results for single discrete breathers. The energy thresholds of long-lived discrete brea…
In this work, we revisit the question of stability of multibreather configurations, i.e., discrete breathers with multiple excited sites at the anti-continuum limit of uncoupled oscillators. We present two methods that yield quantitative predictions about the Floquet multipliers of the linear stability analysis around such exponentially localized in space, time-periodic orbits, based on the Aubry band method and the MacKay effective Hamiltonian method and prove that their conclusions are equivalent. Subsequently, we showcase the usefulness of the methods by a series of case examples including …
We consider an infinite chain of particles linearly coupled to their nearest neighbours and subject to an anharmonic local potential. The chain is assumed weakly inhomogeneous. We look for small amplitude discrete breathers. The problem is reformulated as a nonautonomous recurrence in a space of time-periodic functions, where the dynamics is considered along the discrete spatial coordinate. We show that small amplitude oscillations are determined by finite-dimensional nonautonomous mappings, whose dimension depends on the solutions frequency. We consider the case of two-dimensional reduced map…
