solitary wave

Noun

1.

solitary wave - (physics) a quantum of energy or quasiparticle that can be propagated as a traveling wave in nonlinear systems and is neither preceded nor followed by another such disturbance; does not obey the superposition principle and does not dissipate; "soliton waves can travel long distances with little loss of energy or structure" Synonyms: soliton, soliton wave

natural philosophy, physical science, physics, soliton, soliton wave, traveling wave