MSMatteo Sommacal

Matteo Sommacal

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Matteo Sommacal has a total of 56 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:


Latest Publications

  • Open Access

    The 3-wave resonant interaction model: spectra and instabilities of plane waves

    by Marzia Romano, Sara Lombardo, Matteo Sommacal

    The three wave resonant interaction model (3WRI) is a non-dispersive system with quadratic coupling between the components that finds application in many areas, including nonlinear optics, fluids and plasma physics. Using its integrability, and in particular its Lax Pair representation, we carry out the linear stability analysis of the plane wave solutions interacting under resonant conditions when they are perturbed via localised perturbations. A topological classification of the so-called stability spectra is provided with respect to the physical parameters appearing both in the system itself and in its plane wave solution. Alongside the stability spectra, we compute the corresponding gain function, from which we deduce that this system is linearly unstable for any generic choice of the physical parameters. In addition to stability spectra of the same kind observed in the system of two coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations, whose non-vanishing gain functions detect the occurrence of the modulational instability, the stability spectra of the 3WRI system possess new topological components, whose associated gain functions are different from those characterising the modulational instability. By drawing on a recent link between modulational instability and the occurrence of rogue waves, we speculate that linear instability of baseband-type can be a necessary condition for the onset of rogue wave types in the 3WRI system, thus providing a tool to predict the subsequent nonlinear evolution of the perturbation.


  • Rogue wave formation scenarios for the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation with parabolic-profile initial data on a compact support

    by F. Demontis, G. Ortenzi, G. Roberti, M. Sommacal

    We study the (1+1) focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation for an initial condition with compactly supported parabolic profile and phase depending quadratically on the spatial coordinate. In the absence of dispersion, using the natural class of self-similar solutions, we provide a criterion for blowup in finite time, generalizing a result by Talanov et al. In the presence of dispersion, we numerically show that the same criterion determines, even beyond the semiclassical regime, whether the solution relaxes or develops a high-order rogue wave, whose onset time is predicted by the corresponding dispersionless catastrophe time. The sign of the chirp appears to determine the prevailing scenario among two competing mechanisms for rogue wave formation. For negative values, the numerical simulations are suggestive of the dispersive regularization of a gradient catastrophe described by Bertola and Tovbis for a different class of smooth, bell-shaped initial data. As the chirp becomes positive, the rogue wave seems to result from the interaction of counterpropagating dispersive dam break flows, as in the box problem recently studied by El, Khamis, and Tovbis. As the chirp and amplitude of the initial profile are relatively easy to manipulate in optical devices and water tank wave generators, we expect our observation to be relevant for experiments in nonlinear optics and fluid dynamics.


  • Open Access

    Periodic and Solitary Wave Solutions of the Long Wave–Short Wave Yajima–Oikawa–Newell Model

    by Marcos Caso-Huerta, Antonio Degasperis, Priscila Leal da Silva, Sara Lombardo, Matteo Sommacal

    Models describing long wave–short wave resonant interactions have many physical applications, from fluid dynamics to plasma physics. We consider here the Yajima–Oikawa–Newell (YON) model, which was recently introduced, combining the interaction terms of two long wave–short wave, integrable models, one proposed by Yajima–Oikawa, and the other one by Newell. The new YON model contains two arbitrary coupling constants and it is still integrable—in the sense of possessing a Lax pair—for any values of these coupling constants. It reduces to the Yajima–Oikawa or the Newell systems for special choices of these two parameters. We construct families of periodic and solitary wave solutions, which display the generation of very long waves. We also compute the explicit expression of a number of conservation laws.


  • Open Access

    Aortic stenosis post-COVID-19: a mathematical model on waiting lists and mortality

    by Christian Philip Stickels, Ramesh Nadarajah, Chris P Gale, Houyuan Jiang, Kieran J Sharkey, Ben Gibbison, Nick Holliman, Sara Lombardo, Lars Schewe, Matteo Sommacal, et al.

    Objectives To provide estimates for how different treatment pathways for the management of severe aortic stenosis (AS) may affect National Health Service (NHS) England waiting list duration and associated mortality. Design We constructed a mathematical model of the excess waiting list and found the closed-form analytic solution to that model. From published data, we calculated estimates for how the strategies listed under Interventions may affect the time to clear the backlog of patients waiting for treatment and the associated waiting list mortality. Setting The NHS in England. Participants Estimated patients with AS in England. Interventions (1) Increasing the capacity for the treatment of severe AS, (2) converting proportions of cases from surgery to transcatheter aortic valve implantation and (3) a combination of these two. Results In a capacitated system, clearing the backlog by returning to pre-COVID-19 capacity is not possible. A conversion rate of 50% would clear the backlog within 666 (533–848) days with 1419 (597–2189) deaths while waiting during this time. A 20% capacity increase would require 535 (434–666) days, with an associated mortality of 1172 (466–1859). A combination of converting 40% cases and increasing capacity by 20% would clear the backlog within a year (343 (281–410) days) with 784 (292–1324) deaths while awaiting treatment. Conclusion A strategy change to the management of severe AS is required to reduce the NHS backlog and waiting list deaths during the post-COVID-19 ‘recovery’ period. However, plausible adaptations will still incur a substantial wait to treatment and many hundreds dying while waiting.


  • Open Access

    A new integrable model of long wave–short wave interaction and linear stability spectra

    by Marcos Caso-Huerta, Antonio Degasperis, Sara Lombardo, Matteo Sommacal

    We consider the propagation of short waves which generate waves of much longer (infinite) wavelength. Model equations of such long wave–short wave (LS) resonant interaction, including integrable ones, are well known and have received much attention because of their appearance in various physical contexts, particularly fluid dynamics and plasma physics. Here we introduce a new LS integrable model which generalizes those first proposed by Yajima and Oikawa and by Newell. By means of its associated Lax pair, we carry out the linear stability analysis of its continuous wave solutions by introducing the stability spectrum as an algebraic curve in the complex plane. This is done starting from the construction of the eigenfunctions of the linearized LS model equations. The geometrical features of this spectrum are related to the stability/instability properties of the solution under scrutiny. Stability spectra for the plane wave solutions are fully classified in the parameter space together with types of modulational instabilities.


  • Coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations: spectra and instabilities of plane waves

    by Antonio Degasperis, Sara Lombardo, Matteo Sommacal

    The coherent coupling of two regular wave trains is considered as a solution of a system of a pair of nonlinear Schrödinger equations with cubic self-and cross-interactions. The purpose is the study of the linear stability of this plane wave solution against small and localised perturbations. The model wave equation considered here is integrable in three different regimes, the focusing, defocusing and mixed regime, according to the values of the coupling constants. The approach we take is based on the construction of the eigenfunctions of the linearised wave equations via the so-called squared eigenfunctions, obtained from the Lax pair. The notion of stability spectrum is introduced as associated in particular to the plane wave solution. This is an algebraic curve in the complex plane of the spectral variable of the Lax pair. By means of the geometric features of the spectrum, we completely classify spectra in the parameter space of amplitudes and coupling constants. The stability is then assessed by computing the eigenfrequencies of the eigenfunctions. The instability band is shown to be related to the properties of the non-real part of the spectrum. This analysis confirms that instabilities exist also in the defocusing regime. Different types of spectra are displayed.


  • Open Access

    Rogue Wave Type Solutions and Spectra of Coupled Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations

    by Antonio Degasperis, Sara Lombardo, Matteo Sommacal

    The formation of rogue oceanic waves may be the result of different causes. Various factors (winds, currents, dispersive focussing, depth, nonlinear focussing and instability) make this subject intriguing, and yet its understanding is quite relevant to practical issues. Here, we deal only with the nonlinear character of this dynamics, which has been recognised as the main ingredient to rogue wave formation. In this perspective, the formation of rogue waves requires a non-vanishing and unstable background such as a nonlinear regular wave train with attractive self-interaction. The simplest, best known model of such dynamics is the universal nonlinear Schrödinger equation. This has proven to serve as a good approximation in various contexts and over a broad range of experimental settings. This model aims to give the slow evolution of the envelope of one monochromatic wave due to nonlinearity. Here, we naturally consider the same problem for the envelopes of two weakly resonant monochromatic waves. As for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, which is integrable, we adopt an integrable model to describe the interaction of two waves. This is the system of two coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations (Manakov model) with self- and cross-interactions that may be both defocussing and focussing. We first discuss the linear stability properties of the background by computing the spectrum for all values of the parameters such as coupling constants and amplitudes. In particular, we relate the instability bands to properties of the spectrum and compute the gain function (or growth rate). We also relate to the stability spectrum the value of the spectral variable, which corresponds to a rogue wave solution. In contrast with the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, different types of single rogue wave exist that correspond to different values of the spectral variable even in the same spectrum. For these critical values, which are completely classified, we give the corresponding explicit expression of the rogue wave solution that follows from the well known Darboux–Dressing transformation method. Although not all systems of two coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations that have been derived in water wave dynamics are integrable, our investigation contributes to the understanding of new effects due to wave coupling, at least for model equations that, even if not integrable, are close enough to the model considered here. For instance, our findings lead to investigate rogue waves generated by instabilities due to self- and cross-interactions of defocusing type. An illustrative selection of two coupled rogue waves solutions is displayed.


  • Open Access

    Integrability and linear stability of nonlinear waves

    by Antonio Degasperis, Sara Lombardo, Matteo Sommacal

    It is well known that the linear stability of solutions of partial differential equations which are integrable can be very efficiently investigated by means of spectral methods. We present here a direct construction of the eigenmodes of the linearized equation by using only their associated Lax pair with no reference to spectral data and boundary conditions. This local construction is given in the general $N \times N$ matrix scheme so as to be applicable to a large class of integrable equations, including the multicomponent nonlinear Schroedinger system and the multi-wave resonant interaction system. The analytical and numerical computations involved in this general approach are detailed as an example for $N = 3$ for the particular system of two coupled nonlinear Schroedinger equations in the defocusing, focusing and mixed regimes. The instabilities of the continuous wave solutions are fully discussed in the entire parameter space of their amplitudes and wave numbers. By defining and computing the spectrum in the complex plane of the spectral variable, the eigenfrequencies are explicitly expressed. According to their topological properties, the complete classification of these spectra in the parameter space is presented and graphically displayed. The continuous wave solutions are linearly unstable for a generic choice of the coupling constants.

  • Open Access

    Effective Generation of Closed-form Soliton Solutions of the Continuous Classical Heisenberg Ferromagnet Equation

    by F. Demontis, S. Lombardo, M. Sommacal, C. van der Mee, F. Vargiu

    The non-topological, stationary and propagating, soliton solutions of the classical continuous Heisenberg ferromagnet equation are investigated. A general, rigorous formulation of the Inverse Scattering Transform for this equation is presented, under less restrictive conditions than the Schwartz class hypotheses and naturally incorporating the non-topological character of the solutions. Such formulation is based on a new triangular representation for the Jost solutions, which in turn allows an immediate computation of the asymptotic behaviour of the scattering data for large values of the spectral parameter, consistently improving on the existing theory. A new, general, explicit multi-soliton solution formula, amenable to computer algebra, is obtained by means of the matrix triplet method, producing all the soliton solutions (including breather-like and multipoles), and allowing their classification and description.