Driven Intrinsic Localized Modes in a Coupled Pendulum Array

TL;DR

This paper investigates the generation, stabilization, and disintegration of intrinsic localized modes (ILMs) in a coupled pendulum array, revealing their formation via modulational instability and analyzing their pulsating instability at higher frequencies.

Contribution

It demonstrates the direct generation of ILMs through modulational instability and explores their stability and disintegration mechanisms in a coupled pendulum system.

Findings

ILMs are generated via modulational instability in coupled pendulums.

ILMs can be stabilized over a range of driver frequencies and amplitudes.

Higher driver frequencies lead to disintegration of ILMs through pulsating instability.

Abstract

Intrinsic localized modes (ILMs), also called discrete breathers, are directly generated via modulational instability in an array of coupled pendulums. These ILMs can be stabilized over a range of driver frequencies and amplitudes. They are characterized by a pi-phase difference between their center and wings. At higher driver frequencies, these ILMs are observed to disintegrate via a pulsating instability, and the mechanism of this breather instability is investigated.