title: Compactification of nonlinear patterns and waves.
abstract: We present a nonlinear mechanism(s) which may be an alternative to a missing wave speed: it induces patterns with a compact support and sharp fronts which propagate with a finite speed. Though such mechanism may emerge in a variety of physical contexts, its mathematical characterization is universal, very simple, and given via a sublinear substrate (site) force. Its utility is shown studying a Klein-Gordon -u(tt) + [phi/(u(x)]x = P'(u) equation, where phi'(sigma) = sigma + beta sigma3 and endowed with a subquadratic site potential P(u) approximately /1-u2/(alpha+1), 0 < or = alpha < 1, and the Schrödinger iZt + inverted delta2 Z = G(/Z/)Z equation in a plane with G(A) = gammaA(-delta) - sigmaA2, 0 < delta < or = 1.
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. rosenau@post.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosenau
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kashdan