2004/01/30 by Zoi Rapti, Z. Rapti, P. G. Kevrekidis +3 · 1 citation
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation #Nonlinear Photonic Systems #cond-mat.soft
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physreve.69.017601
published as Phys. Rev. E 69, 017601 (2004)
openalex publication_date 2004/01/30 · arxiv created 2004/04/25 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
We study the modulational stability of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation using a time-dependent variational approach. Within this framework, we derive ordinary differential equations (ODE's) for the time evolution of the amplitude and phase of modulational perturbations. Analyzing the ensuing ODE's, we rederive the classical modulational instability criterion. The case (relevant to applications in optics and Bose-Einstein condensation) where the coefficients of the equation are time dependent, is also examined.