Bifurcation and Symmetry Breaking in Nonlinear Dispersive Waves

Abstract

The equation governing four-wave interactions in a nonlinear dispersive system is studied. It is shown that a nonlinear steady-state plane wave can bifurcate into nonplanar steady-state solutions. In the case of an isotropic medium, the bifurcation is degenerate and the bifurcated solutions may preserve or break the symmetry. An example is given of a symmetry-breaking solution for deep-water gravity waves and its stability is discussed.