Oscillator Differentials: What's a physical meaning of complex part of the solution for coordinate change of the anharmonic oscillator?

In summary, the paper discusses the physical interpretation of the complex part of the solution in the context of coordinate changes for an anharmonic oscillator. It explores how these complex components relate to the system's behavior, particularly in terms of stability and oscillatory motion, providing insights into the underlying dynamics of anharmonic systems. The analysis emphasizes the significance of these complex solutions in understanding the physical properties and transitions of the oscillator.
  • #1
DifferentialGalois
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Homework Statement
What's a physical meaning of, for example, complex part of the solution for coordinate change of the anharmonic oscillator?
Why after substitute (for diff. equation solve) for real x we can earn ##x = Re(z) + iIm(z)##? Is it because of substitutio?
Relevant Equations
##x = Re(z) + iIm(z)##
##x(t)=e^{i\alpha t}##
##x(t) = A e^{i \alpha_1 t} + B e^{i \alpha_2 t}##
I don't understand what the question means, and the answer is provided here: https://physics.stackexchange.com/a/35821/222321
Could someone provide a comprehensive one-by-one explanation.
 
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  • #2
The discussion at that link does not, as far as I can see, provide a physical meaning to the complex solution. Neither does it address anharmonicity, so I assume you mean just a standard damped (maybe forced) oscillator.
If we map the state onto the complex plane, the graph as a function of time (an axis normal to that plane) becomes a helix, tapering exponentially in the case of unforced. I would think this could be realised in a physical system.
 
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  • #3
bump
 
  • #4
DifferentialGalois said:
bump
Why are you bumping your thread and not replying to @haruspex ?
 
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  • #5
berkeman said:
Why are you bumping your thread and not replying to @haruspex ?
i need an explanation to the mathematical equations.
 
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  • #6
DifferentialGalois said:
i need an explanation to the mathematical equations.
I thought I saw a pretty good explanation in the post by @haruspex -- Which part of what he wrote did you not understand?
 

FAQ: Oscillator Differentials: What's a physical meaning of complex part of the solution for coordinate change of the anharmonic oscillator?

What is an anharmonic oscillator?

An anharmonic oscillator is a system in which the restoring force is not proportional to the displacement, deviating from Hooke's Law. This results in a potential that is not purely quadratic, introducing non-linear terms that can lead to more complex dynamics compared to a simple harmonic oscillator.

Why are complex solutions important in the study of anharmonic oscillators?

Complex solutions often arise in the context of differential equations describing anharmonic oscillators. These solutions are crucial because they can represent oscillatory behavior, encapsulate phase information, and sometimes simplify the mathematical treatment of the system through techniques like the method of complexification.

What does the complex part of the solution represent physically?

The complex part of the solution typically represents oscillatory components and phase shifts in the system. In physical terms, it can correspond to energy exchanges between different modes of the system or interactions with external forces, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the system's dynamics.

How does the anharmonic term affect the oscillator's behavior?

The anharmonic term introduces nonlinearity into the system, leading to phenomena such as frequency shifts, amplitude-dependent frequencies, and potentially chaotic behavior. These effects make the system's response more complex and can lead to richer and more varied dynamics compared to a simple harmonic oscillator.

Can the complex solutions be observed experimentally?

While complex solutions themselves are mathematical constructs, their physical implications can be observed experimentally. For instance, the real part of the complex solution corresponds to measurable quantities like displacement or velocity, while the imaginary part can be related to phase information and energy distribution, both of which can be inferred from experimental data.

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