Statistical Approach of Modulational Instability in the Class of Derivative Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations

The modulational instability (MI) in the class of NLS equations is discussed using a statistical approach (SAMI). A kinetic equation for the two-point correlation function is studied in a linear approximation, and an integral stability equation is found. The modulational instability is associated with a positive imaginary part of the frequency. The integral equation is solved for different types of initial distributions (δ-function, Lorentzian) and the results are compared with those obtained using a deterministic approach (DAMI). The differences between MI of the normal NLS equation and derivative NLS equations is emphasized. PACS: 05.45.     

The Hamiltonian Structure of the Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation and the Asymptotic Stability of its Ground States

In this paper we prove that ground states of the NLS which satisfy the sufficient conditions for orbital stability of M. Weinstein, are also asymptotically stable, for seemingly generic equations. The key issue is to prove that a certain coefficient is non-negative because is a square power. We assume that the NLS has a smooth short range nonlinearity. We assume also the presence of a very short range and smooth linear potential, to avoid translation invariance. The basic idea is to perform a Birkhoff normal form argument on the hamiltonian, as in a paper by Bambusi and Cuccagna on the stability of the 0 solution for NLKG. But in our case, the natural coordinates arising from the linearization are not canonical. So we need also to apply the Darboux Theorem. With some care though, in order not to destroy some nice features of the initial hamiltonian.     

Exact spatial soliton solution for nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a type of transverse nonperiodic modulation

In this paper, we analyze (2 + 1)D nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation based on a type of nonperiodic modulation of linear refractive index in the transverse direction. We obtain an exact solution in explicit form for the (2 + 1)D nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with the nonperiodic modulation. Finally, the stability of the solution is discussed numerically, and the results reveal that the solution is stable to the finite initial perturbations.     

One-parameter localized traveling waves in nonlinear Schrödinger lattices

We address the existence of traveling single-humped localized solutions in the spatially discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation. A mathematical technique is developed for analysis of persistence of these solutions from a certain limit in which the dispersion relation of linear waves contains a triple zero. The technique is based on using the Implicit Function Theorem for solution of an appropriate differential advance-delay equation in exponentially weighted spaces. The resulting Melnikov calculation relies on a number of assumptions on the spectrum of the linearization around the pulse, which are checked numerically. We apply the technique to the so-called Salerno model and the translationally invariant discrete NLS equation with a cubic nonlinearity. We show that the traveling solutions terminate in the Salerno model whereas they generally persist in the translationally invariant NLS lattice as a one-parameter family of solutions. These results are found to be in a close correspondence with numerical approximations of traveling solutions with zero radiation tails. Analysis of persistence also predicts the spectral stability of the one-parameter family of traveling solutions under time evolution of the discrete NLS equation.     

Conservative, unconditionally stable discretization methods for Hamiltonian equations, applied to wave motion in lattice equations modeling protein molecules

A new approach is described for generating exactly energy-momentum conserving time discretizations for a wide class of Hamiltonian systems of DEs with quadratic momenta, including mechanical systems with central forces; it is well-suited in particular to the large systems that arise in both spatial discretizations of nonlinear wave equations and lattice equations such as the Davydov System modeling energetic pulse propagation in protein molecules. The method is unconditionally stable, making it well-suited to equations of broadly “Discrete NLS form”, including many arising in nonlinear optics.Key features of the resulting discretizations are exact conservation of both the Hamiltonian and quadratic conserved quantities related to continuous linear symmetries, preservation of time reversal symmetry, unconditional stability, and respecting the linearity of certain terms. The last feature allows a simple, efficient iterative solution of the resulting nonlinear algebraic systems that retain unconditional stability, avoiding the need for full Newton-type solvers. One distinction from earlier work on conservative discretizations is a new and more straightforward nearly canonical procedure for constructing the discretizations, based on a “discrete gradient calculus with product rule” that mimics the essential properties of partial derivatives.This numerical method is then used to study the Davydov system, revealing that previously conjectured continuum limit approximations by NLS do not hold, but that sech-like pulses related to NLS solitons can nevertheless sometimes arise.     

On a kinetic approach to the modulational stability of envelope solitons in a relativistic plasma in an external electric field

Summary The formation of envelope solitons is discussed in a relativistic plasma under the influence of a fluctuating electric field. We use the kinetic-theory approach for our analysis. Due to the larger inertia, only the electrons are considered to be relativistic and the ions to be nonrelativistic. A NLS equation is derived describing the motion of the solitary wave. This NLS equation actually comes from an approximation of a pair of equations which can be considered to be a relativistic generalisation of the Zakharov equation. We next discuss the exact form of the envelope solitary-wave solution of the NLS equation and the modulation stability of such a wave. When the density, momentum and energy of such wave packets are fixeda priori, conditions are derived for the parameters of the problem from such stability consideration.     

Solitary waves in the resonant nonlinear Schrödinger equation: Stability and dynamical properties

The stability and dynamical properties of the so-called resonant nonlinear Schrödinger (RNLS) equation, are considered. The RNLS is a variant of the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with the addition of a perturbation used to describe wave propagation in cold collisionless plasmas. We first examine the modulational stability of plane waves in the RNLS model, identifying the modifications of the associated conditions from the NLS case. We then move to the study of solitary waves with vanishing and nonzero boundary conditions. Interestingly the RNLS, much like the usual NLS, exhibits both dark and bright soliton solutions depending on the relative signs of dispersion and nonlinearity. The corresponding existence, stability and dynamics of these solutions are studied systematically in this work.     

Azimuthal modulational instability of vortices in the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

We study the azimuthal modulational instability of vortices with different topological charges, in the focusing two-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation. The method of studying the stability relies on freezing the radial direction in the Lagrangian functional of the NLS in order to form a quasi-one-dimensional azimuthal equation of motion, and then applying a stability analysis in Fourier space of the azimuthal modes. We formulate predictions of growth rates of individual modes and find that vortices are unstable below a critical azimuthal wave number. Steady-state vortex solutions are found by first using a variational approach to obtain an asymptotic analytical ansatz, and then using it as an initial condition to a numerical optimization routine. The stability analysis predictions are corroborated by direct numerical simulations of the NLS. We briefly show how to extend the method to encompass nonlocal nonlinearities that tend to stabilize such solutions.     

Nonlinear Schrödinger equations and simple Lie algebras

We associate a system of integrable, generalised nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equations with each Hermitian symmetric space. These NLS equations are considered as reductions of more general systems, this time associated with a reductive homogeneous space. The nonlinear terms are related to the curvature and torsion tensors of the appropriate geometrical space. The Hamiltonian structure is investigated using “r-matrix” techniques and shown to be “canonical” for all these equations. Throughout the reduction procedure this Hamiltonian structure does not degenerate. Each of the above systems of equations is gauge equivalent to a generalised ferromagnet. Reductions of the latter are discussed in terms of the corresponding NLS type equations.     

Modulational instability in the cubic-quintic nonlinear Schrödinger equation through the variational approach

The dynamics of nonlinear pulse propagation in an average dispersion-managed soliton system is governed by a constant coefficient nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation. For a special set of parameters the constant coefficient NLS equation is completely integrable. The same constant coefficient NLS equation is also applicable to optical fiber systems with phase modulation or pulse compression. We also investigate MI arising in the cubic-quintic nonlinear Schrödinger equation for ultrashort pulse propagation. Within this framework, we derive ordinary differential equations (ODE’s) for the time evolution of the amplitude and phase of modulation perturbations. Analyzing the ensuing ODE’s, we derive the classical modulational instability criterion and identify it numerically. We show that the quintic nonlinearity can be essential for the stability of solutions. The evolutions of modulational instability are numerically investigated and the effects of the quintic nonlinearity on the evolutions are examined. Numerical simulations demonstrate the validity of the analytical predictions.     

Nonlinear photonic crystals: IV. Nonlinear Schrödinger equation regime

We study here the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation as the first term in a sequence of approximations for an electromagnetic (EM) wave propagating according to the nonlinear Maxwell (NLMs) equations. The dielectric medium is assumed to be periodic, with a cubic nonlinearity, and with its linear background possessing inversion symmetric dispersion relations. The medium is excited by a current J producing an EM wave. The wave nonlinear evolution is analysed based on the modal decomposition and an expansion of the exact solution to the NLM into an asymptotic series with respect to three small parameters α, β and ?. These parameters are introduced through the excitation current J to scale, respectively (i) its amplitude and consequently the magnitude of the nonlinearity; (ii) the range of wavevectors involved in its modal composition, with β^?1 scaling its spatial extension; (iii) its frequency bandwidth, with ?^?1 scaling its time extension. We develop a consistent theory of approximations of increasing accuracy for the NLM with its first term governed by the NLS. We show that such NLS regime is the medium response to an almost monochromatic excitation current J. The developed approach not only provides rigorous estimates of the approximation accuracy of the NLM with the NLS in terms of powers of α, β and ?, but it also produces a new extended NLS (ENLS) providing better approximations. Remarkably, quantitative estimates show that properly tailored ENLS can significantly improve the approximation accuracy of the NLM compared with the classical NLS equation.     

On the Incompressible Fluid Limit and the Vortex Motion Law of the Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation

The nonlinear Schr?dinger equation (NLS) has been a fundamental model for understanding vortex motion in superfluids. The vortex motion law has been formally derived on various physical grounds and has been around for almost half a century. We study the nonlinear Schr?dinger equation in the incompressible fluid limit on a bounded domain with Dirichlet or Neumann boundary condition. The initial condition contains any finite number of degree ± 1 vortices. We prove that the NLS linear momentum weakly converges to a solution of the incompressible Euler equation away from the vortices. If the initial NLS energy is almost minimizing, we show that the vortex motion obeys the classical Kirchhoff law for fluid point vortices. Similar results hold for the entire plane and periodic cases, and a related complex Ginzburg–Landau equation. We treat as well the semi-classical (WKB) limit of NLS in the presence of vortices. In this limit, sound waves propagate through steady vortices. Received: 1 December 1997 / Accepted: 27 June 1998     

Stability analysis of embedded solitons in the generalized third-order nonlinear Schrodinger equation

We study the generalized third-order nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation which admits a one-parameter family of single-hump embedded solitons. Analyzing the spectrum of the linearization operator near the embedded soliton, we show that there exists a resonance pole in the left half-plane of the spectral parameter, which explains linear stability, rather than nonlinear semistability, of embedded solitons. Using exponentially weighted spaces, we approximate the resonance pole both analytically and numerically. We confirm in a near-integrable asymptotic limit that the resonance pole gives precisely the linear decay rate of parameters of the embedded soliton. Using conserved quantities, we qualitatively characterize the stable dynamics of embedded solitons.     

Modeling polymerization of microtubules: A semi-classical nonlinear field theory approach

In this paper, for the first time, a three-dimensional treatment of microtubules’ polymerization is presented. Starting from fundamental biochemical reactions during microtubule’s assembly and disassembly processes, we systematically derive a nonlinear system of equations that determines the dynamics of microtubules in three dimensions. We found that the dynamics of a microtubule is mathematically expressed via a cubic-quintic nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation. We show that in 3D a vortex filament, a generic solution of the NLS equation, exhibits linear growth/shrinkage in time as well as temporal fluctuations about some mean value which is qualitatively similar to the dynamic instability of microtubules. By solving equations numerically, we have found spatio-temporal patterns consistent with experimental observations.     

Effect of power-law nonlinearity on ${ \mathcal P }{ \mathcal T }$-symmetric optical system with fourth-order diffraction

Gaussian-type soliton solutions of the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with fourth order dispersion, and power law nonlinearity in the novel parity-time (${ \mathcal P }{ \mathcal T }$)-symmetric quartic Gaussian potential are derived analytically and numerically. The exact analytical expressions of the solutions are obtained in the first two-dimensional (1D and 2D) power law NLS equations. By means of the linear stability analysis, the effect of power law nonlinearity on the stability of Gauss type solitons in different nonlinear media is carried out. Numerical investigations do confirm the stability of our soliton solutions in both focusing and defocusing cases, specially around the propagation parameters.     

Theory of weakly damped free-surface flows: A new formulation based on potential flow solutions

Several theories for weakly damped free-surface flows have been formulated. In this Letter we use the linear approximation to the Navier-Stokes equations to derive a new set of equations for potential flow which include dissipation due to viscosity. A viscous correction is added not only to the irrotational pressure (Bernoulli's equation), but also to the kinematic boundary condition. The nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation that one can derive from the new set of equations to describe the modulations of weakly nonlinear, weakly damped deep-water gravity waves turns out to be the classical damped version of the NLS equation that has been used by many authors without rigorous justification.     

Nonlinear compression of optical solitons

In this paper, we consider nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equations, both in the anomalous and normal dispersive regimes, which govern the propagation of a single field in a fiber medium with phase modulation and fibre gain (or loss). The integrability conditions are arrived from linear eigen value problem. The variable transformations which connect the integrable form of modified NLS equations are presented. We succeed in Hirota bilinearzing the equations and on solving, exact bright and dark soliton solutions are obtained. From the results, we show that the soliton is alive, i.e. pulse area can be conserved by the inclusion of gain (or loss) and phase modulation effects.     

Freak waves in random oceanic sea states.

Freak waves are very large, rare events in a random ocean wave train. Here we study their generation in a random sea state characterized by the Joint North Sea Wave Project spectrum. We assume, to cubic order in nonlinearity, that the wave dynamics are governed by the nonlinear Schr?dinger (NLS) equation. We show from extensive numerical simulations of the NLS equation how freak waves in a random sea state are more likely to occur for large values of the Phillips parameter alpha and the enhancement coefficient gamma. Comparison with linear simulations is also reported.     

Long-Time Asymptotics for Solutions of the NLS Equation with a Delta Potential and Even Initial Data: Announcement of Results

We consider the one-dimensional focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLS) with a delta potential and even initial data. The problem is equivalent to the solution of the initial/boundary problem for NLS on a half-line with Robin boundary conditions at the origin. We follow the method of Bikbaev and Tarasov which utilizes a Bäcklund transformation to extend the solution on the half-line to a solution of the NLS equation on the whole line. We study the asymptotic stability of the stationary 1-soliton solution of the equation under perturbation by applying the nonlinear steepest-descent method for Riemann?CHilbert problems introduced by Deift and Zhou. Our work strengthens, and extends, the earlier work on the problem by Holmer and Zworski.     

Continuation of normal modes in finite NLS lattices

We study the continuation of breather solutions of the discrete NLS equation as the intersite coupling parameter is varied. Considering the case of a finite one-dimensional lattice of N sites, we show the existence of N branches of breathers that persist for arbitrary coupling, thus connecting normal modes of the linear system to breathers of the uncoupled, anticontinuous limit system. The proof is based on global bifurcation theory, applied to the continuation from the weakly nonlinear regime. As the coupling parameter varies these solutions generally change their stability, and we detect parameter regions where trajectories starting near unstable breathers appear to reach equipartition of power.