Localized wave structures: Solitons and beyond

The review is concerned with solitary waves and other localized structures in the systems described by a variety of generalizations of the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation. Among the topics we focus upon are “radiating solitons,” the generic structures made of soliton-like pulses, and oscillating tails. We also review the properties of solitary waves in the generalized KdV equations with the modular and “sublinear” nonlinearities. Such equations have an interesting class of solutions, called compactons, solitary waves defined on a finite spatial interval. Both the properties of single solitons and the interactions between them are discussed. We show that even minor non-elastic effects in the soliton–soliton collisions can accumulate and result in a qualitatively different asymptotic behavior. A statistical description of soliton ensembles (“soliton gas”), which emerges as a major theme, has been discussed for several models. We briefly outline the recent progress in studies of ring solitons and lumps within the framework of the cylindrical KdV equation and its two-dimensional extension. Ring solitons and lumps (2D solitons) are of particular interest since they have many features in common with classical solitons and yet are qualitatively different. Particular attention is paid to interactions between the objects of different geometries, such as the interaction of ring solitons and shear flows, ring solitons and lumps, and lumps and line solitons. We conclude our review with views of the future developments of the selected lines of studies of localized wave structures in the theory of weakly nonlinear, weakly dispersive waves

Beyond the KdV: post-explosion development

Several threads of the last 25 years’ developments in nonlinear wave theory that stem from the classical Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation are surveyed. The focus is on various generalizations of the KdV equation which include higher-order nonlinearity, large-scale dispersion, and a nonlocal integral dispersion. We also discuss how relatively simple models can capture strongly nonlinear dynamics and how various modifications of the KdV equation lead to qualitatively new, non-trivial solutions and regimes of evolution observable in the laboratory and in nature. As the main physical example, we choose internal gravity waves in the ocean for which all these models are applicable and have genuine importance. We also briefly outline the authors’ view of the future development of the chosen lines of nonlinear wave theory

The laminar-turbulent transition in a fibre laser

Studying the transition from a linearly stable coherent laminar state to a highly disordered state of turbulence is conceptually and technically challenging, and of great interest because all pipe and channel flows are of that type. In optics, understanding how a system loses coherence, as spatial size or the strength of excitation increases, is a fundamental problem of practical importance. Here, we report our studies of a fibre laser that operates in both laminar and turbulent regimes. We show that the laminar phase is analogous to a one-dimensional coherent condensate and the onset of turbulence is due to the loss of spatial coherence. Our investigations suggest that the laminar-turbulent transition in the laser is due to condensate destruction by clustering dark and grey solitons. This finding could prove valuable for the design of coherent optical devices as well as systems operating far from thermodynamic equilibrium

Surface gravity waves in deep fluid at vertical shear flows

Special features of surface gravity waves in deep fluid flow with constant vertical shear of velocity is studied. It is found that the mean flow velocity shear leads to non-trivial modification of surface gravity wave modes dispersive characteristics. Moreover, the shear induces generation of surface gravity waves by internal vortex mode perturbations. The performed analytical and numerical study provides, that surface gravity waves are effectively generated by the internal perturbations at high shear rates. The generation is different for the waves propagating in the different directions. Generation of surface gravity waves propagating along the main flow considerably exceeds the generation of surface gravity waves in the opposite direction for relatively small shear rates, whereas the later wave is generated more effectively for the high shear rates. From the mathematical point of view the wave generation is caused by non self-adjointness of the linear operators that describe the shear flow.Comment: JETP, accepte

On proving communication closedness of distributed layers

The notion of communication closed layer has been introduced as a way to define structured composition of distributed systems. An interesting question is how to verify the closedness of a layer. We formulate a proof rule proving closedness of a distributed layer. The rule is developed as an extension of the Apt, Francez and de Roever proof system for CSP. The extension is proved to be sound and relatively complete

A modular proof of correctness for a network synchronizer

In this paper we offer a formal, rigorous proof of the correctness of Awerbuch's algorithm for network synchronization. We specify both the algorithm and the correctness con- dition using the I/O automaton model, which has previously been used to describe and verify algorithms for concurrency control and resource allocation. We show that the model is also a powerful tool for reasoning about distributed graph algorithms. Our proof of correctness follows closely the intuitive arguments made by the designer of the algorithm by exploiting the model's natural support for such important design techniques as stepwise refinement and modularity. In particular, since the algorithm uses simpler algorithms for synchronization within and between 'clusters' of nodes, our proof can import as lemmas the correctness of these simpler algorithms