Towards a new type of energy trap: Classical analog of quantum Landau-Zener tunneling

We present a novel type of an energy trap providing targeted energy transfer in a system of weakly coupled pendulums. Our approach is based on the analogy we revealed between the behavior of two weakly coupled classical parametric pendulums (in linear approximation) and the nonadiabatic Landau-Zener tunneling in a two-state quantum system. This analogy leads us to the prediction of an efficient irreversible transfer of vibration energy from one subsystem to another, when the eigenfrequency of at least one of them changes in time, so that the coupled subsystems pass through an internal resonance. The existence of such a phenomenon is not restricted to coupled pendulums, but is inherent to a wide class of both linear and nonlinear parametric oscillatory systems. This opens up the possibility of designing new types of energy traps and absorbers for the dynamic protection of various mechanical systems.