Observation of non-reciprocal breathing solitons beyond metamaterials

Ascertain whether traveling non-reciprocal breathing solitons can be realized and observed in other physical platforms beyond mechanical metamaterials, including optical microresonators, optomechanical systems, superconducting circuits, and soft matter, by implementing appropriate non-reciprocal gain and dissipation mechanisms.

Background

The work reveals a mechanism by which non-reciprocity enables traveling, long-lived breathing solitons in a mechanical active metamaterial. Many other platforms can host non-reciprocal dynamics, suggesting possible cross-domain realizations.

Demonstrating such breathers in optics, optomechanics, superconducting circuits, or soft matter would broaden the impact of non-reciprocal nonlinear wave phenomena and test the generality of the proposed mechanism.