Numerical simulations of nonlinear modes in mica: Past, present and future

Abstract

We review research on the role of nonlinear coherent phenomena (e.g. breathers and kinks) in the formation of linear decorations in mica crystal. The work is based on a new model for the motion of the mica hexagonal K layer, which allows displacement of the atoms from the unit cell.With a simple piece-wise polynomial inter-particle potential, we verify the existence of localized long-lived breathers in an idealized lattice at 0 K. Moreover, our model allows us to observe long-lived localized kinks. We study the interactions of such localized modes along a lattice direction, and in addition demonstrate fully two dimensional scattering of such pulses for the first time. For large interatomic forces we observe a spreading horseshoe-shaped wave, a type of shock wave but with a breather profile.