# Splitting of nonlinear-Schr\"odinger breathers by linear and nonlinear localized potentials

## TL;DR

This paper investigates how one-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger breathers interact with localized linear and nonlinear potentials, revealing conditions for splitting into solitons or bouncing, with analytical predictions and simulation results.

## Contribution

It introduces systematic simulations and analytical approximations to understand breather splitting and bouncing in the presence of localized potentials.

## Key findings

- Breathers can split into fundamental solitons or bounce as a whole.
- A critical initial position determines the splitting or bouncing outcome.
- Narrow potential wells trap larger amplitude fragments, affecting soliton dynamics.

## Abstract

We consider evolution of one-dimensional nonlinear-Schr\"odinger (NLS) two-soliton complexes (breathers) with narrow repulsive or attractive potentials (barrier or well, respectively). By means of systematic simulations, we demonstrate that the breather may either split into constituent fundamental solitons (fragments) moving in opposite directions, or bounce as a whole from the barrier. A critical initial position of the breather, which separates these scenarios, is predicted by an analytical approximation. The narrow potential well tends to trap the fragment with the larger amplitude, while the other one escapes. The interaction of the breather with a nonlinear potential barrier is also considered. The ratio of amplitudes of the emerging free solitons may be different from the 3:1 value suggested by the exact NLS solution, especially in the case of the nonlinear potential barrier. Post-splitting velocities of escaping solitons may be predicted by an approximation based on the energy balance.