Physicists create stable, 'breathing' solitons in settings without energy conservation

Solitonic waves-waves that keep their shape and direction of motion for a long time-have intrigued physicists for almost two centuries. In real-world circumstances, these waves eventually die out due to energy loss. A team of UvA physicists have now discovered how a particular type of interaction can be used to create very stable solitons, even in circumstances where energy is not conserved.