Nonlinear Schrödinger equations and the universal description of dispersive shock wave structure

The nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation and the Whitham modulation equations both describe slowly varying, locally periodic nonlinear wavetrains, albeit in differing amplitude-frequency domains. In this paper, we take advantage of the overlapping asymptotic regime that applies to both the NLS and Whitham modulation descriptions in order to develop a universal analytical description of dispersive shock waves (DSWs) generated in Riemann problems for a broad class of integrable and non-integrable nonlinear dispersive equations. The proposed method extends DSW fitting theory that prescribes the motion of a DSW's edges into the DSW's interior, i.e., this work reveals the DSW structure. Our approach also provides a natural framework in which to analyze DSW stability. We consider several representative, physically relevant examples that illustrate the efficacy of the developed general theory. Comparisons with direct numerical simulations show that inclusion of higher order terms in the NLS equation enables a remarkably accurate description of the DSW structure in a broad region that extends from the harmonic, small amplitude edge

Dynamic soliton-mean flow interaction with nonconvex flux

The interaction of localised solitary waves with large-scale, time-varying dispersive mean flows subject to non-convex flux is studied in the framework of the modified Korteweg–de Vries (mKdV) equation, a canonical model for internal gravity wave propagation and potential vorticity fronts in stratified fluids. The effect of large amplitude, dynamically evolving mean flows on the propagation of localised waves – essentially ‘soliton steering’ by the mean flow – is considered. A recent theoretical and experimental study of this new type of dynamic soliton–mean flow interaction for convex flux has revealed two scenarios where the soliton either transmits through the varying mean flow or remains trapped inside it. In this paper, it is demonstrated that the presence of a non-convex cubic hydrodynamic flux introduces significant modifications to the scenarios for transmission and trapping. A reduced set of Whitham modulation equations is used to formulate a general mathematical framework for soliton–mean flow interaction with non-convex flux. Solitary wave trapping is stated in terms of crossing modulation characteristics. Non-convexity and positive dispersion – common for stratified fluids – imply the existence of localised, sharp transition fronts (kinks). Kinks play dual roles as a mean flow and a wave, imparting polarity reversal to solitons and dispersive mean flows, respectively. Numerical simulations of the mKdV equation agree with modulation theory predictions. The mathematical framework developed is general, not restricted to completely integrable equations like mKdV, enabling application beyond the mKdV setting to other fluid dynamic contexts subject to non-convex flux such as strongly nonlinear internal wave propagation that is prevalent in the ocean

Similar oscillations on both sides of a shock. Part I. Even-odd alternative dispersions and general assignments of Fourier dispersions towards a unfication of dispersion models

We consider assigning different dispersions for different dynamical modes, particularly with the distinguishment and alternation of opposite signs for alternative Fourier components. The Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation with periodic boundary condition and longest-wave sinusoidal initial field, as used by N. Zabusky and M. D. Kruskal, is chosen for our case study with such alternating-dispersion of the Fourier modes of (normalized) even and odd wavenumbers. Numerical results verify the capability of our new model to produce two-sided (around the shock) oscillations, as appear on both sides of some ion-acoustic and quantum shocks, not admitted by models such as the KdV(-Burgers) equation, but also indicate even more, including singular zero-dispersion limit or non-convergence to the classical shock (described by the entropy solution), non-thermalization (of the Galerkin-truncated models) and applicability to other models (showcased by the modified KdV equation with cubic nonlinearity). A unification of various dispersive models, keeping the essential mathematical elegance (such as the variational principle and Hamiltonian formulation) of each, for phenomena with complicated dispersion relation is thus suggested with a further explicit example of two even-order dispersions (from the Hilbert transforms) extending the Benjamin-Ono model. The most general situation can be simply formulated by the introduction of the dispersive derivative, the indicator function and the Fourier transform, resulting in an integro-differential dispersion equation. Other issues such as the real-number order dispersion model and the transition from non-thermalization to thermalization and, correspondingly, from regularization to non-regularization for untruncated models are also briefly remarked

Oblique spatial dispersive shock waves in nonlinear Schrodinger flows

In dispersive media, hydrodynamic singularities are resolved by coherent wavetrains known as dispersive shock waves (DSWs). Only dynamically expanding, temporal DSWs are possible in one-dimensional media. The additional degree of freedom inherent in two-dimensional media allows for the generation of time-independent DSWs that exhibit spatial expansion. Spatial oblique DSWs, dispersive analogs of oblique shocks in classical media, are constructed utilizing Whitham modulation theory for a class of nonlinear Schrodinger boundary value problems. Self-similar, simple wave solutions of the modulation equations yield relations between the DSW’s orientation and the upstream/downstream flow fields. Time dependent numerical simulations demonstrate a convective or absolute instability of oblique DSWs in supersonic flow over obstacles. The convective instability results in an effective stabilization of the DSW

Stationary expansion shocks for a regularized Boussinesq system

Stationary expansion shocks have been recently identified as a new type of solution to hyperbolic conservation laws regularized by non-local dispersive terms that naturally arise in shallow-water theory. These expansion shocks were studied in [1] for the Benjamin-Bona-Mahony equation using matched asymptotic expansions. In this paper, we extend the analysis of [1] to the regularized Boussinesq system by using Riemann invariants of the underlying dispersionless shallow water equations. The extension for a system is non-trivial, requiring a combination of small amplitude, long-wave expansions with high order matched asymptotics. The constructed asymptotic solution is shown to be in excellent agreement with accurate numerical simulations of the Boussinesq system for a range of appropriately smoothed Riemann data

Dispersive Riemann problems for the Benjamin-Bona-Mahony equation

Long time dynamics of the smoothed step initial value problem or dispersive Riemann problem for the Benjamin‐Bona‐Mahony (BBM) equation u t + u u x = u xxt are studied using asymptotic methods and numerical simulations. The catalog of solutions of the dispersive Riemann problem for the BBM equation is much richer than for the related, integrable, Korteweg‐de Vries equation u t + u u x + u xxx = 0 . The transition width of the initial smoothed step is found to significantly impact the dynamics. Narrow width gives rise to rarefaction and dispersive shock wave (DSW) solutions that are accompanied by the generation of two‐phase linear wavetrains, solitary wave shedding, and expansion shocks. Both narrow and broad initial widths give rise to two‐phase nonlinear wavetrains or DSW implosion and a new kind of dispersive Lax shock for symmetric data. The dispersive Lax shock is described by an approximate self‐similar solution of the BBM equation whose limit as t → ∞ is a stationary, discontinuous weak solution. By introducing a slight asymmetry in the data for the dispersive Lax shock, the generation of an incoherent solitary wavetrain is observed. Further asymmetry leads to the DSW implosion regime that is effectively described by a pair of coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations. The complex interplay between nonlocality, nonlinearity, and dispersion in the BBM equation underlies the rich variety of nonclassical dispersive hydrodynamic solutions to the dispersive Riemann problem

Dispersive shock waves and modulation theory

There is growing physical and mathematical interest in the hydrodynamics of dissipationless/dispersive media. Since G. B. Whitham’s seminal publication fifty years ago that ushered in the mathematical study of dispersive hydrodynamics, there has been a significant body of work in this area. However, there has been no comprehensive survey of the field of dispersive hydrodynamics. Utilizing Whitham’s averaging theory as the primary mathematical tool, we review the rich mathematical developments over the past fifty years with an emphasis on physical applications. The fundamental, large scale, coherent excitation in dispersive hydrodynamic systems is an expanding, oscillatory dispersive shock wave or DSW. Both the macroscopic and microscopic properties of DSWs are analyzed in detail within the context of the universal, integrable, and foundational models for uni-directional (Korteweg–de Vries equation) and bi-directional (Nonlinear Schrödinger equation) dispersive hydrodynamics. A DSW fitting procedure that does not rely upon integrable structure yet reveals important macroscopic DSW properties is described. DSW theory is then applied to a number of physical applications: superfluids, nonlinear optics, geophysics, and fluid dynamics. Finally, we survey some of the more recent developments including non-classical DSWs, DSW interactions, DSWs in perturbed and inhomogeneous environments, and two-dimensional, oblique DSWs