Many nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations have been studied numerically, and in a few cases, analytical solutions have been found. We used the variational method to study three different equations in this family. The first one to be studied here was the linear equation, Utt - Uzz + U = 0, where U is a real Klein-Gordon field. Attempts to find non-stationary radiative-type solutions of this equation were not successful. Next we studied the nonlinear equation Utt - U:= ± IUl 2U = O, with U complex, which represents a nonlinear massless scalar field. Here we searched for possible stationary solutions using the variational approximation, however to no avail. Next, we added a linear term to this second equation, which then became Utt - Uzll: ± IUl2U + µU = 01 whereµ can always be scaled to ±1. Here we found that we can find approximate variational solutions of the form A(t)e^i{k(x-z0(t))+a)e / 2w2(z) . This third equation is a generalization of the tf,4 equation, which has many physical applications. However, the variational solution found required different signs on the coefficients of this equation than are found in the O4 equation. Properties and features of this variational solution will be discussed.

The study of waves and instabilities in quantum plasmas is of fundamental importance for understanding collective interactions in superdense astrophysical objects, in high intense laser-plasma/solid-matter interactions, in microelectronic devices and metallic nanostructures. In dense quantum plasmas, there are new pressure laws associated with the Fermi-Dirac distribution functions and new quantum forces associated with the quantum Bohm potential and the Bohr magnetization involving electron ½ spin. These forces significantly alter the collective behavior of dense quantum plasmas. This thesis contains six papers, considering several novel collective modes and instabilities at quantum scales. In Paper I, we have used the quantum hydrodynamical (QHD) model for studying the one-dimensional dust-acoustic (DA) waves incorporating the Fermi pressure law and the quantum Bohm potential. The latter modifies the DA wave dispersion relation in a collisional plasma. In Paper II, we have calculated the electrostatic potential of a test charge in an unmagnetized electron-ion quantum plasma. It is found that the Debye-Hückel and oscillatory wake potentials strongly depend upon the Fermi energy at quantum scales. The results can be of interest for explaining the charged particle attraction and repulsion in degenerate quantum plasmas, such as those in semiconductor and microelectronic devices. Paper III presents the parametric study of nonlinear electrostatic waves in two-dimensional collisionless quantum dusty plasmas. A reductive perturbation method has been employed to the QHD equations together with the Poisson equation, obtaining the cylindrical Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (CKP) equations and their stationary localized solutions. We have numerically examined the quantum mechanical and geometrical effects on the profiles of nonplanar quantum dust-ion-acoustic (DIA) and DA solitary waves. The role of static as well as mobile (negatively or positively charged) dust particles on the low-frequency electrostatic waves has also been highlighted for metallic nanostructures. Paper IV introduces the nonlinear properties of the ion-sound waves in a dense electron-ion Fermi magnetoplasma. The computational analysis of the nonlinear system reveals that the Sagdeev-like potential and the ion-sound density excitations are significantly affected by the wave direction cosine and the Mach number at quantum scales. Paper V considers the nonlinear interactions of electrostatic upper-hybrid (UH), ion-cyclotron (IC), lower-hybrid (LH), and Alfvén waves in a quantum magnetoplasma. The nonlinear dispersion relations have been analyzed analytically to obtain the growth rates for both the decay and modulational instabilities involving the dispersive IC, LH, and Alfvén waves. In Paper VI, we have identified a new drift-like dissipative instability in a collisional quantum plasma. The modified unstable drift-like mode can cause cross-field anomalous ion-diffusion at quantum scales.

Gravitational perturbations can be in the form of scalars, vectors or tensors. This thesis focuses on the evolution of scalar perturbations in cosmology, and interactions between tensor perturbations, in the form of gravitational waves, and plasma waves. The gravitational waves studied in this thesis are assumed to have small amplitudes and wavelengths much shorter than the background length scale, allowing for the assumption of a flat background metric. Interactions between gravitational waves and plasmas are described by the Einstein-Maxwell-Vlasov, or the Einstein-Maxwell-fluid equations, depending on the level of detail required. Using such models, linear wave excitation of various waves by gravitational waves in astrophysical plasmas are studied, with a focus on resonance effects. Furthermore, the influence of strong magnetic field quantum electrodynamics, leading to detuning of the gravitational wave-electromagnetic wave resonances, is considered. Various nonlinear phenomena, including parametric excitation and wave steepening are also studied in different astrophysical settings. In cosmology the evolution of gravitational perturbations are of interest in processes such as structure formation and generation of large scale magnetic fields. Here, the growth of density perturbations in Kantowski-Sachs cosmologies with positive cosmological constant is studied.

This PhD is dedicated to the development of an advanced numerical model for simulating interactions between free surface waves of arbitrary steepness and rigid bodies in high amplitude motions. Based on potential theory, it solves the coupled dynamics of waves and structure with the implicit method by Van Daalen (1993), also named the acceleration potential method by Tanizawa (1995). The precision of this two-dimensional model is tested on a wide range of applications involving the forced motion or free motion of a submerged horizontal cylinder of circular cross-section : diffraction by a fixed cylinder, radiation by a cylinder in specified high amplitude motions, wave absorption by the Bristol cylinder. In each of these applications, numerical results are compared to experimental data or analytical solutions based on the linear wave theory, with a good agreement especially for small amplitude motions of the cylinder and small wave steepnesses. The irregular wave generation by a paddle and the possibility to add an extra circular cylinder are integrated in the model and illustrated on practical applications with simple wave energy converters. The model is finally extended to three dimensions, with preliminary results for a sphere in large amplitude heaving oscillations

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 176 p.; also includes graphics. Includes bibliographical references (p. 172-176). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

A major area of research recently has been the study of nonlinear waves in liquid crystals. The availability of commercial liquid crystals and the formation of solitons at mWpower levels has meant that experimental research and the need to understand how the solitons are formed and interact has been boosted. The first part of the thesis looks at how two laser beams in a nematic liquid crystal interact. Specifically research has centred on the problem of directing a signal beam to a target area by varying the input angle of the control beam. Different approximate models are developed to describe this phenomena, with the results from these models compared to a full numerical analysis. The first model developed is called the particle model and is based on the unmodified modulation equations. The results from this model were acceptable when compared with the results obtained from a full numerical analysis. This comparison is indicative that the underlying assumptions of the model did not capture an essential part of interaction between the two laser beams. The second model used to describe the interaction between the two laser beams was based on the law of conservation of momentum in the laser beams. Here the potential between the laser beams was modified to take into account the profile of the beams. The results from this model were in excellent agreement with results from the full numerical analysis, showing the key role potential between the beams plays in the trajectories of the beams. The interaction between dark solitons was also studied. The model used in this case was based on the modulation equations with a suitable trial function for dark solitons. The results from this model were in excellent agreement with the results from the full numerical analysis. The behaviour of the dark solitons shown by the approximate model and the full numerical analysis showing similar key features. This thesis sets out the equations describing the interaction of laser beams in liquid crystals. These are the equations used to carry out a full numerical analysis. This analysis is valuable in its own right and is the standard to compare the results obtained from other models but to achieve a deeper understanding of how laser beams interact in liquid crystals approximate models are developed so that the important parameters in each model can be identified. The Lagrangian describing the interaction of laser beams in liquid crystals is used in all the approximate models. The approximate models can then be developed through the use of suitable trial functions that adequately describe how the laser beams interact. The derivation of the equations and how these equations are solved is described for each model. The results from each model are compared to a full numerical analysis with a discussion of how the results compare.

Cette thèse présente le développement d'un modèle numérique avancé, capable de simuler les interactions entre des vagues de surface de cambrure quelconque et des corps rigides immergés ayant des mouvements de grande amplitude. Fondé sur la théorie potentielle, il propose une résolution couplée de la dynamique vagues/structure par la méthode implicite de Van Daalen (1993), encore appelée méthode du potentiel d'accélération par Tanizawa (1995). La précision du modèle à deux dimensions est testée sur un ensemble d'applications impliquant le mouvement forcé ou libre d'un cylindre horizontal immergé, de section circulaire : diffraction par un cylindre fixe, radiation par un cylindre en mouvement forcé de grande amplitude, absorption des vagues par le cylindre de Bristol. Pour chaque application, les résultats numériques sont comparés à des résultats expérimentaux ou analytiques issus de la théorie linéaire, avec un bon accord en particulier pour les petites amplitudes de mouvement du cylindre et pour les vagues de faibles cambrures. La génération de vagues irrégulières et la prise en compte d'un second corps cylindrique immergé sont ensuite intégrées au modèle, et illustrées sur des applications pratiques avec des systèmes récupérateurs d'énergie des vagues simples. Enfin, le modèle est étendu en trois dimensions avec des premières applications au cas d'une sphère décrivant des mouvements de grande amplitude / This PhD is dedicated to the development of an advanced numerical model for simulating interactions between free surface waves of arbitrary steepness and rigid bodies in high amplitude motions. Based on potential theory, it solves the coupled dynamics of waves and structure with the implicit method by Van Daalen (1993), also named the acceleration potential method by Tanizawa (1995). The precision of this two-dimensional model is tested on a wide range of applications involving the forced motion or free motion of a submerged horizontal cylinder of circular cross-section : diffraction by a fixed cylinder, radiation by a cylinder in specified high amplitude motions, wave absorption by the Bristol cylinder. In each of these applications, numerical results are compared to experimental data or analytical solutions based on the linear wave theory, with a good agreement especially for small amplitude motions of the cylinder and small wave steepnesses. The irregular wave generation by a paddle and the possibility to add an extra circular cylinder are integrated in the model and illustrated on practical applications with simple wave energy converters. The model is finally extended to three dimensions, with preliminary results for a sphere in large amplitude heaving oscillations

Au cours de cette thèse, un modèle potentiel résolvant les équations d’Euler-Zakharov a été développé dans le but de simuler la propagation de vagues et d’états de mer irréguliers et multi-directionnels, du large jusqu’à la côte, sur des bathymétries variables. L’objectif est de représenter les effets non-linéaires et dispersifs le plus précisément possible pour des domainescôtiers bidimensionnels (dans le plan horizontal) de l’ordre de quelques kilomètres.La version 1DH initiale du modèle, résolvant le problème aux limites de Laplace à l’aide de schémas aux différences finies d’ordre élevé dans la direction horizontale combinés à une approche spectrale sur la verticale, a été améliorée et validée. L’implémentation de conditions aux limites de type Dirichlet et Neumann pour générer des vagues dans le domaine a été étudiée en détail. Dans la pratique, une zone de relaxation a été utilisée en complément deces conditions pour améliorer la stabilité du modèle.L’expression analytique de la relation de dispersion a été établie dans le cas d’un fond plat. Son analyse a montré que la représentation des effets dispersifs s’améliorait significativement avec l’augmentation de la résolution sur la direction verticale (i.e. avec le degré maximal de la basede polynômes de Tchebyshev utilisée pour projeter le potentiel des vitesses sur la verticale).Une étude de convergence menée pour des ondes solitaires modérément à fortement non-linéaires a confirmé la convergence exponentielle avec la résolution verticale grâce à l’approche spectrale, ainsi que les convergences algébriques en temps et en espace sur l’horizontale avec des ordres d’environ 4 (ou plus) en accord avec les schémas numériques utilisés.La comparaison des résultats du modèle à plusieurs jeux de données expérimentales a démontré les capacités du modèle à représenter les effets non-linéaires induits par les variations de bathymétrie, notamment les transferts d’énergie entre les composantes harmoniques, ainsi que la représentation précise des propriétés dispersives. Une formulation visco-potentielle a également été implémentée afin de prendre en compte les effets visqueux induits par la dissipation interne et le frottement sur le fond. Cette formulation a été validée dans le cas d’une faible viscosité avec un fond plat ou présentant une faible pente.Dans le but de représenter des champs de vagues 2DH, le modèle a été étendu en utilisant une discrétisation non-structurée (par nuage de points) du plan horizontal. Les dérivées horizontales ont été estimées à l’aide de la méthode RBF-FD (Radial Basis Function-Finite Difference), en conservant l’approche spectrale sur la verticale. Une étude numérique de sensibilité a été menée afin d’évaluer la robustesse de la méthode RBF-FD, en comparant différents types de RBFs, avec ou sans paramètre de forme et l’ajout éventuel d’un polynôme. La version 2DH du modèle a été utilisée pour simuler deux expériences en bassin, validant ainsi l’approche choisie et démontrant son applicabilité pour simuler la propagation 3D des vagues faisant intervenir des effets non-linéaires. Dans le but de réduire le temps de calcul et de pouvoir appliquer le code à des simulations sur de grands domaines, le code a été modifié pour utiliser le solveur linéaire direct en mode parallèle / In this work, a potential flow model based on the Euler-Zakharov equations was developed with the objective of simulating the propagation of irregular and multidirectional sea states from deep water conditions to the coast over variable bathymetry. A highly accurate representation of nonlinear and dispersive effects for bidimensional (2DH) nearshore and coastal domains on the order of kilometers is targeted.The preexisting 1DH version of the model, resolving the Laplace Boundary Value problem using a combination of high-order finite difference schemes in the horizontal direction and a spectral approach in the vertical direction, was improved and validated. The generation of incident waves through the implementation of specific Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions was studied in detail. In practice, these conditions were used in combination witha relaxation zone to improve the stability of the model.The linear dispersion relation of the model was derived analytically for the flat bottom case. Its analysis showed that the accuracy of the representation of dispersive effects improves significantly by increasing the vertical resolution (i.e. the maximum degree of the Chebyshev polynomial basis used to project the potential in the vertical). A convergence study conducted for moderate to highly nonlinear solitary waves confirmed the exponential convergence in the vertical dimension owing to the spectral approach, and the algebraic convergence in time and in space (horizontal dimension) with orders of about 4 (or higher) in agreement with the numerical schemes used.The capability of the model to represent nonlinear effects induced by variable bathymetry, such as the transfer of energy between harmonic components, as well as the accurate representation of dispersive properties, were demonstrated with comparisons to several experimental data sets. A visco-potential flow formulation was also implemented to take into account viscous effects induced by bulk viscosity and bottom friction. This formulation was validated inthe limit of small viscosity for mild slope bathymetries.To represent 2DH wave fields in complex nearshore domains, the model was extended using an unstructured discretization (scattered nodes) in the horizontal plane. The horizontal derivatives were estimated using the RBF-FD (Radial Basis Function - Finite Difference) method, while the spectral approach in the vertical remained unchanged. A series of sensitivity tests were conducted to evaluate numerically the robustness of the RBF-FD method, including a comparison of a variety of RBFs with or without shape factors and augmented polynomials. The 2DH version of the model was used to simulate two wave basin experiments, validating the approach and demonstrating the applicability of this method for 3D wave propagation, including nonlinear effects. As an initial attempt to improve the computational efficiency ofthe model for running simulations of large spatial domains, the code was adapted to use a parallelized direct linear solver

This thesis has two parts: In the first part, we study the dispersion characteristics of structural-acoustic waveguides by obtaining closed-form solutions for the coupled wave numbers. Two representative systems are considered for the above study: an infinite two-dimensional rectangular waveguide and an infinite fluid- filled orthotropic circular cylindrical shell. In the second part, these asymptotic expressions are used to study the nonlinear wave propagation in the same two systems. The first part involves obtaining asymptotic expansions for the fluid-structure coupled wave numbers in both the systems. Certain expansions are already available in the literature. Hence, the gaps in the literature are filled. Thus, for cylindrical shells even in vacuo wavenumbers are obtained as part of the objective. Here, singular and regular perturbation methods are used by taking the thickness parameter as the asymptotic parameter. Valid wavenumber expressions are obtained at all the frequencies. A transition in the behavior of the flexural wavenumbers occurs in the neighborhood of the ring frequency. This frequency of transition is identified for the orthotropic shells also. The closed-form expressions for the orthotropic shells are obtained in the limit of slight orthotropy for the circumferential orders n > 0 at all the frequency ranges. Following this, we derive the coupled wavenumber expressions for the two systems for an arbitrary fluid loading. Here, the two-dimensional rectangular waveguide is considered first. This rectangular waveguide has a one-dimensional plate and a rigid surface as its lateral boundaries. The effects due to the structural boundary are studied by analyzing the phase change due to the structure on an incident plane wave. The complications due to the cross-sectional modes are eliminated by ignoring the presence of the other rigid boundary. Dispersion characteristics are predicted at various regions of the dispersion diagram based on the phase change. Moreover, the also identified. Next, the rigid boundary is considered and the coupled dispersion relation for the waveguide is solved for the wavenumber expressions. The coupled wavenumbers are obtained as the coupled rigid-duct, the coupled structural and the coupled pressure-release wavenumbers. Next, based on the above asymptotic analysis on a two-dimensional rectangular waveguide, the asymptotic expansions are obtained for the coupled wavenumbers in isotropic and orthotropic fluid- filled cylindrical shells. The asymptotic expansions of the wavenumbers are obtained without any restriction on the fluid loading. They are compared with the numerical solutions and a good match is obtained. In the second part or the nonlinear section of the thesis, the coupled wavenumber expressions are used to study the propagation of small but a finite amplitude acoustic potential in the above structural-acoustic waveguides. It must be mentioned here that for the rst time in the literature, for a structural-acoustic system having a contained fluid, both the structure and the acoustic fluid are nonlinear. Standard nonlinear equations are used. The focus is restricted to non-planar modes. The study of the cylindrical shell parallels that of the 2-D rectangular waveguide, except in that the former is more practical and complicated due to the curvature. Thus, with regard to both systems, a narrow-band wavepacket of the acoustic potential centered around a frequency is considered. The approximate solution of the acoustic velocity potential is found using the method of multiple scales (MMS) involving both space and time. The calculations are presented up to the third order of the small parameter. It is found that the amplitude modulation is governed by the Nonlinear Schr•odinger equation (NLSE). The nonlinear term in the NLSE is analyzed, since the sign of the nonlinear term in the NLSE plays a role in determining the stability of the amplitude modulation. This sign change is predicted using the coupled wavenumber expressions. Secondly, at specific frequencies, the primary pulse interacts with its higher harmonics, as do two or more primary pulses with their resultant higher harmonic. This happens when the phase speeds of the waves match. The frequencies of such interactions are identified, again using the coupled wavenumber expressions. The novelty of this work lies firstly in considering nonlinear acoustic wave prop-agation in nonlinear structural waveguides. Secondly, in deriving the asymptotic expansions for the coupled wavenumbers for both the two-dimensional rectangular waveguide and the fluid- filled circular cylindrical shell. Then in using the same to study the behavior of the nonlinear term in NLSE. And lastly in identifying the frequencies of nonlinear interactions in the respective waveguides.

<p>We consider existence and stability of breather solutions to discrete nonlinear Schrodinger (dNLS) and discrete Klein-Gordon (dKG) equations near the anti-continuum limit, the limit of the zero coupling constant. For sufficiently small coupling, discrete breathers can be uniquely extended from the anti-continuum limit where they consist of periodic oscillations on excited sites separated by "holes" (sites at rest).</p> <p>In the anti-continuum limit, the dNLS equation linearized about its discrete breather has a spectrum consisting of the zero eigenvalue of finite multiplicity and purely imaginary eigenvalues of infinite multiplicities. Splitting of the zero eigenvalue into stable and unstable eigenvalues near the anti-continuum limit was examined in the literature earlier. The eigenvalues of infinite multiplicity split into bands of continuous spectrum, which, as observed in numerical experiments, may in turn produce internal modes, additional eigenvalues on the imaginary axis. Using resolvent analysis and perturbation methods, we prove that no internal modes bifurcate from the continuous spectrum of the dNLS equation with small coupling.</p> <p>Linear stability of small-amplitude discrete breathers in the weakly-coupled KG lattice was considered in a number of papers. Most of these papers, however, do not consider stability of discrete breathers which have "holes" in the anti-continuum limit. We use perturbation methods for Floquet multipliers and analysis of tail-to-tail interactions between excited sites to develop a general criterion on linear stability of multi-site breathers in the KG lattice near the anti-continuum limit. Our criterion is not restricted to small-amplitude oscillations and it allows discrete breathers to have "holes" in the anti-continuum limit.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)