Breathers in one-dimensional binary metamaterial models

The existence and stability of discrete breathers is studied theoretically for a model magnetic metamaterial composed of a periodic binary array of split-ring resonators with resonance frequency mismatch. It is demonstrated that breathers can be excited spontaneously by frequency chirping of the driving field, a method that is well suited for experiments. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.