Coupled quintic nonlinear Schrödinger equations in a generalized elastic solid

Abstract

Summary: The nonlinear modulation of transverse waves propagating in a cubically nonlinear dispersive elastic medium is studied using a multi-scale expansion of wave solutions. It is found that the propagation of quasi-monochromatic transverse waves is described by a pair of coupled nonlinear Schrödinger (CNLS) equations. In the process of deriving the amplitude equations, it is observed that for a specific choice of material constants and wavenumber, the coefficient of nonlinear terms becomes zero, and the CNLS equations are no longer valid for describing the behaviour of transverse waves. In order to balance the nonlinear effects with the dispersive effects, by intensifying the nonlinearity, a new perturbation expansion is used near the critical wavenumber. It is found that the long-time behaviour of the transverse waves about the critical wavenumber is given by a pair of coupled quintic nonlinear Schrödinger (CQNLS) equations. In the absence of one of the transverse waves, the CQNLS equations reduce to the single quintic nonlinear Schrödinger (QNLS) equation which has already been obtained in the context of water waves. By using a modified form of the so-called tanh method, some travelling wave solutions of the CQNLS equations are presented.