Kink-antikink collisions in the Φ 4 equation: The n-bounce resonance and the separatrix map

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2005

Abstract

We provide a, detailed mathematical explanation of a, phenomenon known as the two-bounce resonance observed in collisions between kink and antikink traveling waves of the Φ 4 equations of mathematical physics. This behavior was discovered numerically in the 1980s by Campbell and his collaborators and subsequently discovered in several other equations supporting traveling waves. We first demonstrate the effect with new high-resolution numerical simulations. A pair of kink-like traveling waves may coalesce into a localized bound state or may reflect off each other. In the two-bounce resonance, they first coalesce, but later escape each other's embrace, with a very regular pattern governing the behaviors. Studying a finite-dimensional "collective coordinates" model, we use geometric phase-plane based reasoning and matched asymptotics to explain the mechanism underlying the phenomenon, including the origin of several mathematical assumptions needed by previous researchers. We derive a separatrix map for this problem - a simple algebraic recursion formula that explains the complex fractal-like dependence on initial velocity for kink-antikink interactions. © 2005 Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.

Identifier

33644906188 (Scopus)

Publication Title

SIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical Systems

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1137/050632981

e-ISSN

15360040

ISSN

15360040

First Page

1195

Last Page

1228

Issue

4

Volume

4

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS