We present a statistical equilibrium model of self-organization in a class of focusing, nonintegrable nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equations. The theory predicts that the asymptotic-time behavior of the NLS system is characterized by the formation and persistence of a large-scale coherent solitary wave, which minimizes the Hamiltonian given the conserved particle number ${(L}^2$-norm squared), coupled with small-scale random fluctuations, or radiation. The fluctuations account for the difference between the conserved value of the Hamiltonian and the Hamiltonian of the coherent state. The predictions of the statistical theory are tested against the results of direct numerical simulations of NLS, and excellent qualitative and quantitative agreement is demonstrated. In addition, a careful inspection of the numerical simulations reveals interesting features of the transitory dynamics leading up to the long-time statistical equilibrium state starting from a given initial condition. As time increases, the system investigates smaller and smaller scales, and it appears that at a given intermediate time after the coalescense of the soliton structures has ended, the system is nearly in statistical equilibrium over the modes that it has investigated up to that time.

• Received 13 May 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.61.1527