The nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Singular solutions and optical collapse (Q476620)

The Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation (NLS) theory was an object of great interest during last decades. As every nonlinear object in Mathematics as well in Physics it is a fascinating research topic for many scientists. It is well known that the propagation of intense laser beams in a transparent medium can be modeled by the two-dimensional NLS. The beam collapse is a phenomena of special interest. It corresponds to NLS singular solutions. The Optical Collapse is a phenomena which has a lot of applications. This arises when nonlinearity is stronger than diffraction. Note that the present book includes almost all questions connected with theoretical and experimental investigations of the above mentioned matter during the years since 1960 until now. It starts with some introductory notes and derivation of NLS. It is considered as a ``leading-order model for propagation of intense laser beams in an isotropic bulk medium''. The important terminology from linear and nonlinear optics, such as the linear polarization, paraxial approximation, Kerr nonlinearity and weakly nonlinear Helmholtz equation are introduced and explained. It is shown that if the diffraction is not neglected in the NLS model, then the focused beam does not collapse to a point. The self-focusing research is covered as well. One chapter is devoted to the phenomenon known as multiple filamentation. Some experiments carried out during 1960s show that when ``the input power is much larger than the critical power for collapse, the beam can break up into several long and narrow filaments''. This phenomenon is known as ``multiple filamentation'', ``small-scale self focusing'', and ``beam breakup''. A theoretical model proposed by \textit{V. I. Bespalov} and \textit{V. I. Talanov} [``Filamentary structure of light beams in nonlinear media'', Trans. JETP Lett. 3, 307--310 (1966)] for multiple filamentation is discussed. The second part includes existence and uniqueness results to NLS solutions in the Sobolev class \(H^1\). The author considers biharmonic NLS (BNLS) equation as well as \(H^1\)-subcritical, \(L^2\)-critical, and supercritical models. The methods connected with Gagliardo-Nirenberg estimate are discussed as well. Also NLS interpreted of Hamiltonian point of view is considered. The arising of solitary waves (solitons), their stability, and asymptotic behavior are discussed in the next chapter. The symmetries and Lens Transformation, NLS with a quadratic potential, and the scattering phenomena are investigated as well. Chapter 10 is devoted to the critical NLS, \[ i\partial \psi / \partial z (z,{\mathbf x}) + \triangle \psi + |\psi |^{4/d}\psi = 0, \;\;\psi (0,{\mathbf x})=\psi_0({\mathbf x})\in H^1, \] which admits solitary-wave solutions of the form \(\psi^{\text{solitary}} (z,x)=e^{iz}R(x)\), where \(R(x)\) is a solution of the equation \(\triangle R(x)-R+|R|^{2\sigma }R=0\), \(R\in H^1\). Here it is shown that there exists an explicit solution \(\psi_{R}^{\text{explicit}}\) which blows up at certain point. It turns out that \(\|\psi_{R}^{\text{explicit}}\|_{2}^{2}=\|R\|_{2}^{2}\). The blow-up rate \(l(z)=(\|\psi \|_{2})^{-1}\) for a blowing-up solution of NLS goes to zero as \(z\) tends to a point \(Z_c\). The stability and instability of the singular solution is discussed as well. A new type of blow-up solutions of the explicit critical NLS are considered [\textit{J. Bourgain} and \textit{W. Wang}, Ann. Sc. Norm. Super. Pisa, Cl. Sci., IV. Ser. 25, No. 1--2, 197--215 (1997; Zbl 1043.35137)]. The author discusses the existence of the zero-Hamiltonian solution, infinite-power solution, and pays attention to the admissible solution. The vortex-free case, all singular radial solutions collapse at the origin, vortex solutions in two and three dimensions are considered. The Chapter 16 is devoted to the focusing NLS on a bounded domain. A mixed problem under Dirichlet boundary condition and initial condition is studied. We note that in optics, a Dirichlet boundary condition models a boundary (interface) that reflects back all radiation. The most interesting part of the book is devoted to the solitary waves and their stability. The Pohozaev identities for NLS solitary waves on a bounded domain are investigated here. It is shown that in the critical case, the Hamiltonian of the free-space solitary waves is zero. On bounded domains the Hamiltonian is positive. It is shown existence of solitary vortex solutions in the case of two dimensional NLS on a sphere. Part 3 is devoted to the asymptotic analysis of the critical NLS. Part 4 contains the asymptotic analysis of the Supercritical NLS. There the author discusses the existence of singular \(H^1\) Peak-Type solutions, singular Standing-Ring solutions, singular Shrinking-Ring solutions and so on. Part 5 includes the application of NLS in Nonlinear Optics. It is considered the physical case of the two-dimensional critical NLS, \[ i\partial \psi / \partial z (z,{ x, y }) + \triangle \psi + |\psi |^{2}\psi = 0, \;\;\psi (0,{ x,y })=\psi_0({ x,y}). \] Here the reader may find a discussion on the existence of the critical and threshold powers for collapse. Part 6 is devoted to the numerical methods for NLS. One may find the computation of solitary waves as well the effects of the spatial discretization. In Part 7 is considered the perturbed critical NLS, Modulation Theory, cubic-quintic and saturated nonlinearities, linear and nonlinear damping, asymptotic analysis, nonparaxiality and backscattering, ultrashort pulses, normal and anomalous dispersion. The Nonlinear Geometrical Optics (NGO) Method for ultrashort pulses with anomalous dispersion are discussed. Note that the book abounds in recent results, facts and examples that makes it very interesting for the researchers who work actively in this field.