Soliton decay of nonlinear Alfven waves - Numerical studies

PONCE DAWSON, SILVINA; FERRO FONTAN, CONSTANTINO

PHYSICS OF FLUIDS

AMER INST PHYSICS

Año: 1988 vol. 31 p. 83 - 89

1070-6631

The derivative nonlinear Schrodinger equation is numerically solved for arbitrary initial conditions by an extension of the Ablowitz-Ladik (1977) scheme. The numerical nonlinear difference code, which takes advantage of the inverse scattering method, simulates the original differential equation reproducing common features, like solitons and an infinite set of constants of motion. The long-time behavior is analyzed in terms of the sign of one of the constants of motion. The formation of a soliton train is seen whenever the constant has a negative value. This fact is the global expression of the Mjolhus local criterion to distinguish between modulationally stable and unstable cases.