Pilot-wave dynamics in a harmonic potential: Quantization and stability of circular orbits

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dynamics of a droplet in a harmonic potential, demonstrating orbital quantization and stability predictions that align with experimental observations.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical model describing droplet orbits in a harmonic potential, including quantization and stability analysis, validated by experimental data.

Findings

Orbital solutions depend on harmonic force strength.

Predicted orbital radius and frequency match experiments.

Orbital stability varies with system parameters.

Abstract

We present the results of a theoretical investigation of the dynamics of a droplet walking on a vibrating fluid bath under the influence of a harmonic potential. The walking droplet's horizontal motion is described by an integro-differential trajectory equation, which is found to admit steady orbital solutions. Predictions for the dependence of the orbital radius and frequency on the strength of the radial harmonic force field agree favorably with experimental data. The orbital quantization is rationalized through an analysis of the orbital solutions. The predicted dependence of the orbital stability on system parameters is compared with experimental data and the limitations of the model are discussed.