Intrinsic Local Modes
Intrinsic Local Modes
Consider a chain of particles of mass m where the
nearest-neighbors are connected by the anharmonic springs. The anharmonic interparticle
potential has the following form
, where K2>0
and K4>0 are the harmonic and quartic anharmonic terms,
respectively, and x is the deviation of the spring's length from its
equilibrium value.
Such lattice supports intrinsic local modes (ILMs) with their
frequencies above the phonon band characterized by the maximal harmonic plane waves
frequency
.
The eigenvector of the intrinsic local mode can be found within the rotating-wave
apporximation (RWA) where the displacement of the nth particle from its equilibrium
position un is described by the following ansatz
where
is the amplitude of the mode, and
characterizes its ac displacement pattern.
Substitution of the above ansatz into the classical equations of motion
allows one to find the mode eigenvector. The ILM's eigenvector is a wave package which
transfers to a lattice envelope soliton in a limit of a weak anharmonicicty.
A similar ansatz can give the eigenvector of a moving ILM.
A more complete description of the intrinsic local modes you can find in a review
article:
S. A. Kiselev, S. R. Bickham, and A. J. Sievers, "Properties of Intrinsic Localized
Modes in One-Dimensional Lattices", Comments Cond. Mat. Phys, 17,
135-173 (1995).
The above applet allows you to watch vibrating
ILMs in the lattice of 15 particles with periodic boundaries. The evolution of the chain
is calculated by the molecular-dynamics technique. The parameters of the lattice are the
following: m=1, K2=1, K4=10.
You can launch either an Odd-Parity ILM (when a central particle has the highest
amplitude) or an Even-Parity ILM (when two central particles have the highest and
opposite amplitudes). You can also launch a Moving ILM.
The time is shown in units of the shortest period of small amplitude plane wave
vibrations,
.
Energy is shown in arbitrary units. The kinetic energy
of the particle and the potential energy of the bond
are shown as the red and the yellow
bars, respectively.
If you wait for a while you will see a spectrum of the particles' vibrations. It will
be shown in the left panel. As the time of the evolution goes the spectrum resolution
improves. The frequency unit is the maximal plane wave frequency,
.
Last modified: December 1, 1996
Sergey Kiselev, sergey@lightlink.com