``Leapfrogging'' solitons in a system of coupled KdV equations (Q1100352)

The system of two coupled KdV equations \[ (1)\quad u_{1t}-6u_ 1u_{1x}+u_{1xxx}+\epsilon u_{2xxx}=0, \] \[ (2)\quad u_{2t}- 6\beta u_ 2u_{2x}+\beta u_{2xxx}-V_ 0u_{2x}+\alpha \epsilon u_{1xxx}=0, \] which describes, e.g., resonant interaction of two transverse internal-gravity-wave modes in a shallow stratified liquid, is considered. In the framework of an approach based on Hamilton's equations of motion, evolution equations for the parameters \(\kappa_ j\), \(z_ j\) of two solitons \[ u_ j^{(sol)}=-2\kappa^ 2_ j \sec h^ 2(\kappa_ j(x-z_ j)),\quad j=1,2,\quad \dot z_ 1=4\kappa^ 2_ 1,\quad \dot z_ 2=4\beta \kappa^ 2_ 2-V_ 0 \] are derived in the adiabatic approximation. To that end, the coupling parameter \(\epsilon\) in Eqs. (1), (2) is assumed small, while \(\alpha\),\(\beta\) and \(V_ 0\) are arbitrary. It is demonstrated that, if the solitons' velocities \(\dot z_ 1\) and \(\dot z_ 2\) are sufficiently close, the solitons may form a breather-like oscillating bound state, which provides a natural explanation for recent numerical experiments [see \textit{J. A. Gear} and \textit{R. Grimshaw}, Stud. Appl. Math. 70, 235-258 (1984; Zbl 0548.76020); \textit{J. A. Gear}, ibid. 72, 95-124 (1985; Zbl 0561.76030)] demonstrating leapfrogging motion of the two solitons. The frequency and maximum amplitude of the oscillations are found. Then emission of radiation (small-amplitude quasilinear waves) by the oscillating bound solitons, also detected in the numerical experiments (loc. cit.), is investigated by means of the perturbation theory based on the inverse scattering transform. The intensity of the emission is calculated. The system (1), (2) conserves energy, momentum and two ``masses'' \(\int^{+\infty}_{-\infty}u_{1,2}(x)dx\). At the end of the paper, a relation between different conservation laws is discussed from the standpoint of the perturbation theory, which is a nontrivial problem.