On Localization of the Fractional Discrete Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation

The continuum and discrete fractional nonlinear Schrödinger equations (fDNLS) represent new models in nonlinear wave phenomena with unique properties. In this paper, we focus on various aspects of localization associated to fDNLS featuring modulational instability, asymptotic construction of onsite and offsite solutions, and the role of Peierls-Nabarro barrier. In particular, the localized onsite and offsite solutions are constructed using the map approach. Under the long-range interaction characterized by the Lévy index α>0, the phase space of solutions is infinite-dimensional unlike that of the well-studied nearest-neighbor interaction. We show that an orbit corresponding to this spatial dynamics translates to an approximate solution that decays algebraically. We also show as α→∞, the discrepancy between local and nonlocal dynamics becomes negligible on a compact time interval, but persists on a global time scale. Moreover it is shown that data of small mass scatter to free solutions under a sufficiently high nonlinearity, which proves the existence of strictly positive excitation threshold for ground state solutions of fDNLS.