Delocalized nonlinear vibrational modes and discrete breathers in a body centered cubic lattice

Body centered cubic (bcc) lattice with nearest and next-nearest interactions described by the β-FPUT interatomic potential is considered. Exact dynamical solutions in the form of zone-boundary delocalized nonlinear vibrational modes (DNVMs) are analyzed. 31 such solutions are revealed from the analysis of only the symmetry of the bcc lattice. Frequency response of DNVMs for the case of soft- and hard-type anharmonicity is calculated. In the case of hard-type anharmonicity, four DNVMs have frequencies bifurcating from the upper edge of the phonon spectrum and growing with the amplitude. Various quasi-discrete breathers are obtained by superimposing localizing functions upon these DNVMs. Our work demonstrates a practical approach to finding quasi-discrete breathers in higher-dimensional lattices. The obtained spatially localized long-lived vibrational modes inspire the search for various discrete breathers in bcc metals. •Dynamics of bcc beta-Fermi–Pasta–Ulam lattice is investigated.•New discrete breathers are found using the delocalized nonlinear vibrational modes.•The obtained results inspire the search for various discrete breathers in bcc metals.