Stages of energy transfer in the FPU model (Q1422490)

The authors revisit the alpha version of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam model applying the weak turbulence theory and making direct numerical simulations. The energy spectrum, initialized with a large scale excitation, is traced through a series of distinct qualitative phases ``en route'' to eventual equipartition. Weak turbulence theory is applied in an attempt to provide an effective quantitative description of the evolution of the energy spectrum. Some scaling predictions are well-confirmed by the numerical simulations.