Nonlinear Vibrations in the Fullerene Molecule $C_{60}$

TL;DR

This paper investigates the nonlinear vibrational dynamics of the $C_{60}$ fullerene molecule, identifying periodic solutions and symmetry properties through theoretical analysis and numerical methods.

Contribution

It proves the existence of global branches of nonlinear normal modes and characterizes their symmetry properties in the fullerene molecule.

Findings

Existence of global branches of periodic solutions

Identification of standing and rotating wave solutions

Symmetry properties of nonlinear normal modes

Abstract

In this paper we analyze nonlinear dynamics of the fullerene molecule. We prove the existence of global branches of periodic solutions emerging from an icosahedral equilibrium (nonlinear normal modes). We also determine the symmetric properties of the branches of nonlinear normal modes for maximal orbit types. We find several solutions which are standing and rotating waves that propagate along the molecule with icosahedral, tetrahedral, pentagonal and triangular symmetries. We complement our theoretical results with numerical computations using Newton's method.