Approach in theory of nonlinear evolution equations: the Vakhnenko-Parkes equation (Q1796539)

The paper studies various methods for examining the properties and solutions of nonlinear evolution equations using the Vakhnenko equation (VE) \[\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\left(\frac{\partial}{\partial t}+u\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\right)u+u=0,\] as an example. The above equation arises in modelling the propagation of high-frequency waves in a relaxing medium, and has periodic and solitary traveling wave solutions some of which are loop-like in nature. The equation can be rewritten in an alternative form, known as the Vakhnenko-Parkes equation (VPE), by a change of independent variables. The VPE has an \(N\)-soliton solution which is discussed in detail. Individual solitons are hump-like in nature whereas the corresponding solution to the VE comprises \(N\)-loop-like solitons. Aspects of the inverse scattering transform (IST) method, as applied originally to the KdV equation, are used to find one- and two-soliton solutions to the VPE even though the VPE's spectral equation is third-order and not second-order. A Bäcklund transformation for the VPE is used to construct conservation laws. The standard IST method for third-order spectral problems is used to investigate solutions corresponding to bound states of the spectrum and to a continuous spectrum. This leads to \(N\)-soliton solutions and M-mode periodic solutions, respectively. Interactions between these types of solutions are investigated.