Large amplitude standing waves of spatially periodic sine-Gordon equations are excited and controlled by sweeping the frequency of a small, spatially modulated driving oscillation through resonances in the system. The approach is based on capturing the system into resonances and subsequent adiabatic, persistent phase locking (autoresonance) yielding control via a single external parameter (the driving frequency). Plasma oscillations in the system are excited by using a small amplitude drive in the form of a chirped frequency standing wave, while emergence of autoresonant breather oscillations requires driving by a combination of small amplitude oscillation and standing waves.

• Received 1 March 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.73.066612