Shock wave criterion for propagating solitary states in driven surface waves - art. no. 035302

Highly localized solitary states are observed to propagate along the surfac e of a thin two-dimensional fluid layer. The states are driven by means of a spatially uniform, temporally periodic, vertical acceleration (Faraday ex periment) in a highly dissipative fluid. These states are shown to be forme d by coupled fronts that propagate, periodically, as shock waves. A criteri on for their formation based on shock initiation is presented. Both the cha racteristic form and interaction dynamics of the solitary states can be und erstood in this picture.