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Experimental observation of soliton propagation and annihilation in a hydromechanical array of one-way coupled oscillators

John F. Lindner, Kelly M. Patton, Patrick M. Odenthal, James C. Gallagher, and Barbara J. Breen
Phys. Rev. E 78, 066604 – Published 12 December 2008
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Abstract

We have experimentally realized unidirectional or one-way coupling in a mechanical array by powering the coupling with flowing water. In cyclic arrays with an even number of elements, solitonlike waves spontaneously form but eventually annihilate in pairs, leaving a spatially alternating static attractor. In cyclic arrays with an odd number of elements, this alternating attractor is topologically impossible, and a single soliton always remains to propagate indefinitely. Our experiments with 14- and 15-element arrays highlight the dynamical importance of both noise and disorder and are further elucidated by our computer simulations.

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  • Received 24 August 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.78.066604

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

John F. Lindner1, Kelly M. Patton1, Patrick M. Odenthal1,2, James C. Gallagher1, and Barbara J. Breen2

  • 1Physics Department, The College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio 44691, USA
  • 2Physics Department, The University of Portland, Portland, Oregon 97203, USA

See Also

One-Way Waves

Michael Schirber
Phys. Rev. Focus 22, 21 (2008)

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Issue

Vol. 78, Iss. 6 — December 2008

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