Dynamics of kinks in two-dimensional hyperbolic models (Q1961683)

The subject of the work is dynamics of fronts in a model described by the equation \[ \varepsilon^2\phi_{tt} +\varepsilon^2\gamma \phi_t = \varepsilon^2 \Delta\phi + f(\phi) +\varepsilon h +\varepsilon^4\eta\Delta\phi_t, \] where \(\Delta\) is the two-dimensional Laplacian, \(\varepsilon\) is a small parameter, \(\gamma\) and \(\eta\) being positive constants. In particular, in the case \(f(\phi) =-\sin\phi\) this equation is a generalized sine-Gordon equation describing a large-area dc-driven damped Josephson junction. By means of an asymptotic analysis, it is shown that the kinematic evolution of the infinitely narrow front separating two states with different constant values of \(\phi\) is described by a generalized version of the Born-Infeld equation. Then, it is shown that a flat rectilinear front is moving at a uniquely selected asymptotic velocity and is stable against small disturbations. Motion of circular fronts is studied in detail, too. It is shown that it may be either collapse to a point in a finite time or posses an unlimited expansion, and is dynamically stable. Shape oscillations of elliptically deformed circular fronts are also considered.