The focusing NLS equation with step-like oscillating background: scenarios of long-time asymptotics

Abstract: We consider the Cauchy problem for the focusing nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation with initial data approaching two different plane waves $A_j\mathrm{e}^{\mathrm{i}\phi_j}\mathrm{e}^{-2\mathrm{i}B_jx}$, $j=1,2$ as $x\to\pm\infty$. Using Riemann-Hilbert techniques and Deift-Zhou steepest descent arguments, we study the long-time asymptotics of the solution. We detect that each of the cases $B_1<B_2$, $B_1>B_2$, and $B_1=B_2$ deserves a separate analysis. Focusing mainly on the first case, the so-called shock case, we show that there is a wide range of possible asymptotic scenarios. We also propose a method for rigorously establishing the existence of certain higher-genus asymptotic sectors.