Stabilization of the coupled pendula chain under parametric PT-symmetric driving force

Abstract: We consider a chain of coupled pendula pairs, where each pendulum is connected to the nearest neighbors in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The common strings in each pair are modulated periodically by an external force. In the limit of small coupling and near the 1:2 parametric resonance, we derive a novel system of coupled PT-symmetric discrete nonlinear Schrodinger equation, which has Hamiltonian symmetry but has no gauge symmetry. By using the conserved energy, we find the parameter range for the linear and nonlinear stability of the zero equilibrium. Numerical experiments illustrate how destabilization of the zero equilibrium takes place when the stability constraints are not satisfied. The central pendulum excites nearest pendula and this process continues until a dynamical equilibrium is reached where each pendulum in the chain oscillates at a finite amplitude.