Nonlinear optical vibrations of single-walled carbon nanotubes. 1. Energy exchange and localization of low-frequency oscillations

We present the results of analytical study and molecular dynamics simulation of low energy nonlinear non-stationary dynamics of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). New phenomena of intense energy exchange between different parts of CNT and weak energy localization in the excited part of CNT are analytically predicted in the framework of the continuum shell theory. Their origin is clarified by means of the concept of Limiting Phase Trajectory, and the analytical results are confirmed by the molecular dynamics simulation of simply supported CNTs. •The capture of the vibration energy in some part of the CNT is considered.•The low-frequency vibrational spectra of CNT have been studied.•The breather-type solution has been obtained for the infinite length CNT.•The data of MD simulations confirm the results of analytical model.