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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Solitons and their observable signatures in quasi-one-dimensional systems

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We give an overview of the experimental signatures of nonlinear waves: notably topological and non topological solitons, in specific quasi-one-dimensional devices and condensed matter systems. Non topological solitons can be easily observed and manipulated, on a macroscopic scale, in optical fibers and electrical transmission lines. Topological solitons have been clearly identified as fluxons in Josephson transmission lines and as domain walls in condensed matter systems such as magnetic chains and synthetic polymers. By contrast, at the present time the observable signatures of nonlinear excitations such as pulse or envelope solitons and polarons, which are predicted to occur on a microscopic scale in condensed matter systems, are not conclusive.