Phase evolution of Peregrine-like breathers in optics and hydrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase characteristics of Peregrine-like breather waves in optics and hydrodynamics, revealing phase shifts at maximum compression consistent with theoretical predictions.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed experimental analysis of phase shifts in Peregrine solitons across both hydrodynamic and optical systems.

Findings

Phase shift of multiple π between pulse center and background.

Large longitudinal phase shift observed at maximum compression.

Experimental results agree with analytical and numerical models.

Abstract

We present a detailed study of the phase properties of rational breather waves observed in the hydrodynamic and optical domains, namely the Peregrine soliton and related second-order solution. At the point of maximum compression, our experimental results recorded in a wave tank or using an optical fiber platform reveal a characteristic phase shift that is multiple of $\pi$ between the central part of the pulse and the continuous background, in agreement with analytical and numerical predictions. We also stress the existence of a large longitudinal phase shift across the point of maximum compression.