Discrete Breathers in a Forced-Damped Array of Coupled Pendula: Modeling, Computation, and Experiment

In this work, we present a mechanical example of an experimental realization of a stability reversal between on-site and intersite centered localized modes. A corresponding realization of a vanishing of the Peierls-Nabarro barrier allows for an experimentally observed enhanced mobility of the localized modes near the reversal point. These features are supported by detailed numerical computations of the stability and mobility of the discrete breathers in this system of forced and damped coupled pendula. Furthermore, additional exotic features of the relevant model, such as dark breathers are briefly discussed.