It is known that weak interactions of two solitary waves in generalized nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equations exhibit fractal dependence on initial conditions, and the dynamics of these interactions is governed by a universal two-degree-of-freedom ODE system [Y. Zhu J. Yang, Universal fractal structures in the weak interaction of solitary waves in generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equations, Phys. Rev. E 75 (2007) 036605]. In this paper, this ODE system is analyzed comprehensively. Using asymptotic methods along separatrix orbits, a simple second-order map is derived. This map does not have any free parameters after variable rescalings, and thus is universal for all weak interactions of solitary waves in generalized NLS equations. Comparison between this map’s predictions and direct simulations of the ODE system shows that the map can capture the fractal-scattering phenomenon of the ODE system very well both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Solitons of the power-energy saturation (PES) equation are studied using adiabatic perturbation theory. In the anomalous regime individual soliton pulses are found to be well approximated by solutions of the classical nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with the key parameters of the soliton changing slowly as they evolve. Evolution equations are found for the pulse amplitude(s), velocity(ies), position(s), and phase(s) using integral relations derived from the PES equation. The results from the integral relations are shown to agree with multi-scale perturbation theory. It is shown that the single soliton case exhibits mode-locking behavior for a wide range of parameters, while the higher states form effective bound states. Using the fact that there is weak overlap between tails of interacting solitons, evolution equations are derived for the relative amplitudes, velocities, positions, and phase differences. Comparisons of interacting soliton behavior between the PES equation and the classical NLS equation are also exhibited.

Previous studies have shown that fractal scatterings in weak interactions of solitary waves in the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equations are described by a universal second-order separatrix map. In this paper, this separatrix map is analyzed in detail, and hence a complete characterization of fractal scatterings in these weak interactions is obtained. In particular, scaling laws of these fractals are derived analytically for different initial conditions, and these laws are confirmed by direct numerical simulations. In addition, an analytical criterion for the occurrence of fractal scatterings is given explicitly.

Fractal scatterings in weak solitary wave interactions is analyzed for generalized nonlinear Schrödiger equations (GNLS). Using asymptotic methods, these weak interactions are reduced to a universal second-order map. This map gives the same fractal scattering patterns as those in the GNLS equations both qualitatively and quantitatively. Scaling laws of these fractals are also derived.

Weak interactions of solitary waves in the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equations are studied. It is first shown that these interactions exhibit similar fractal dependence on initial conditions for different nonlinearities. Then by using the Karpman-Solov'ev method, a universal system of dynamical equations is derived for the velocities, amplitudes, positions and phases of interacting solitary waves. These dynamical equations contain a single parameter, which accounts for the different forms of nonlinearity. When this parameter is zero, these dynamical equations are integrable, and the exact analytical solutions are derived. When this parameter is non-zero, the dynamical equations exhibit fractal structures which match those in the original wave equations both qualitatively and quantitatively. Thus the universal nature of fractal structures in the weak interaction of solitary waves is analytically established. The origin of these fractal structures is also explored. It is shown that these structures bifurcate from the initial conditions where the solutions of the integrable dynamical equations develop finite-time singularities. Based on this observation, an analytical criterion for the existence and locations of fractal structures is obtained. Lastly, these analytical results are applied to the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equations with various nonlinearities such as the saturable nonlinearity, and predictions on their weak interactions of solitary waves are made.