Breathers in a Pinned Mechanical Lattice

Discrete breathers are found in a nonlinear one dimensional axially loaded mechanical lattice consisting of rigid links supported laterally by linear springs. We find link centered breathers for an odd number of mechanical links and pivot centred breathers where the number of links is even. Substantial parameter regions in load–frequency parameter space are found where these breathers are linearly and nonlinearly stable. This region includes the lattice in tension, in compression and in the unloaded state. We also find that despite the rigid nature of this mechanical system both the lateral displacement and energy-per-link is, at least, exponentially localised in the breather core. Initial results also point towards the ability of energy to spontaneously localise in this mechanical lattice. This is seen in the form of a spontaneously appearing moving discrete breather.