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 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 0K. 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.