Spatial solitons in linearly and nonlinearly amplitude-modulated optical lattices

We demonstrated that linearly and nonlinearly amplitude-modulated (chirped) harmonic lattices can support odd and even solitons in both focusing and defocusing saturable media. The modulated lattice modifies the profiles and enlarges the stability domains of solitons, comparing with the unchirped one. Twisted solitons, or “soliton trains” whose profiles exhibit multi-peak structures can also be supported by linearly and nonlinearly chirped lattices. In sharp contrast with periodic lattices, chirped lattices remarkably broaden the existence and stability domains of twisted solitons, especially for solitons with more components. While even solitons in focusing media and twisted solitons in defocusing media are unstable, odd and twisted solitons in focusing media are stable in relatively wide parameter windows. Chirped lattice can be used as a linear guidance to realize the oscillation of solitons which is impossible in unchirped lattice.     

Surface solitons supported by one-dimensional composite Bessel optical lattices

We address the existence of surface solitons at an interface in a defocusing cubic medium with an imprinted one-dimensional （1D） composite Bessel optical lattice. This setting is composed of two Bessel lattices with different orders and different modulation depths, separated beside both sides of an interface. Stability analysis and numerical propagation simulations prove that solitons supported by the model are dynamically stable in the entire domain of their existence. The order of lattice determines the shape of soliton, and the amplitude of soliton depends on the lattice modulation depth. The experimental realization of the scheme is also proposed. Our results may provide another effective way of controlling the shapes of surface solitons and thus their evolutions by introducing a new freedom degree.     

Polarization vortex spatial optical solitons in Bessel optical lattices

We investigate the formation of polarization vortex spatial optical solitons in optical lattice induced by a non-diffracting Bessel beam. The properties of these solitons in zeroth-order and first-order Bessel lattices with focusing and defocusing Kerr nonlinearity are discussed. It is found that these solitons have some analogies with phase vortex solitons carrying single positive or negative topological charge in these lattices. Besides, these polarization vortex solitons have complicated dynamical characteristic and can be stabilized in some parameter region.     

空间调制作用下Bessel型光晶格中物质波孤立子的稳定性

利用变分法和数值计算方法研究了空间调制作用下Bessel型光晶格中玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚体系中孤立子的稳定性, 给出了存在随空间非周期变化的线性Bessel型光晶格和非线性光晶格(原子之间非线性相互作用的空间调制)时, 各种参数组合下涡旋和非涡旋孤立子的稳定性条件. 首先, 利用圆对称的高斯型试探波函数得出描述体系稳定性参数满足的Euler-Lagrange方程和变分法分析体系稳定性所需要的有效作用势能的表达式. 然后, 根据有效作用势能是否具有局域最小值判断体系是否具有稳定状态, 得出体系具有稳定状态时参数所满足的条件. 最后, 利用有限差分法求解Gross-Pitaevskii方程验证变分法结果的正确性, 所得结果和变分法结果一致. 关键词： Bessel型光晶格 非线性光晶格 孤立子 稳定性     

Asymmetrical surface soliton trains

We elucidate the existence, stability and propagation dynamics of multi-spot soliton packets in focusing saturable media. Such solitons are supported by an interface beside which two harmonically photonic lattices with different modulation depths are imprinted. We show that the surface model can support stable higher-order structures in the form of asymmetrical surface soliton trains, which is in sharp contrast to homogeneous media or uniform harmonic lattice modulations where stable asymmetrical multi-peaked solitons do not exist. Surface trains can be viewed as higher-order soliton states bound together by several different lowest order solitons with appropriate relative phases. Their existence as stable objects enriches the concept of compact manipulation of several different solitons as a single entity and offers additional freedom to control the shape of solitons by adjusting the modulation depths beside the interface.     

Bragg guiding of domainlike nonlinear modes and kink arrays in lower-index core structures

We introduce a novel class of stable nonlinear modes trapped in a lower-index film core sandwiched between two optical lattices, or in the cylindrical core of a radial lattice, imprinted in defocusing media. Such a family of nonlinear modes transforms into defect lattice solitons when the core width is sufficiently small or into an array of kinks when the width is large enough. We find that higher-order modes with multiple zeros inside the guiding core can be stable in one-dimensional settings.     

Spatial solitons in photonic lattices with large-scale defects

We address the existence,stability and propagation dynamics of solitons supported by large-scale defects surrounded by the harmonic photonic lattices imprinted in the defocusing saturable nonlinear medium.Several families of soliton solutions,including flat-topped,dipole-like,and multipole-like solitons,can be supported by the defected lattices with different heights of defects.The width of existence domain of solitons is determined solely by the saturable parameter.The existence domains of various types of solitons can be shifted by the variations of defect size,lattice depth and soliton order.Solitons in the model are stable in a wide parameter window,provided that the propagation constant exceeds a critical value,which is in sharp contrast to the case where the soliton trains is supported by periodic lattices imprinted in defocusing saturable nonlinear medium.We also find stable solitons in the semi-infinite gap which rarely occur in the defocusing media.     

Interface kink solitons in defocusing saturable nonlinear media

We report on the dynamics of semi-localized nonlinear optical modes supported by an interface separating a uniform defocusing saturable medium and an imprinted semi-infinite photonic lattice. Out-of-phase and in-phase kink solitons composed by dark-soliton-like pedestals and oscillatory tails are found. Two branches of out-of-phase kink solitons exist in shallow lattices. Saturable nonlinearity enhances the pedestal height and renormalized energy flow of kink solitons evidently. While in-phase kink solitons are always unstable, out-of-phase kink solitons will be completely stable provided that lattice depth exceeds a critical value. Furthermore, stable kink solitons in the higher band gaps are also possible. Our results may give a helpful hint for understanding the dynamics of kink solitons with high pedestals in other fields.     

Dipole and quadrupole solitons in optically-induced two-dimensional defocusing photonic lattices

Dipole and quadrupole solitons in a two-dimensional optically induced defocusing photonic lattice are theoretically predicted and experimentally observed. It is shown that in-phase nearest-neighbor and out-of-phase next-nearest-neighbor dipoles exist and can be stable in the intermediate intensity regime. There are also different types of dipoles that are always unstable. In-phase nearest-neighbor quadrupoles are also numerically obtained, and may also be linearly stable. Out-of-phase, nearest-neighbor quadrupoles are found to be typically unstable. These numerical results are found to be aligned with the main predictions obtained analytically in the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger model. Finally, experimental results are presented for both dipole and quadrupole structures, indicating that self-trapping of such structures in the defocusing lattice can be realized for the length of the nonlinear crystal (10 mm).     

Stable ring-profile vortex solitons in bessel optical lattices

Stable ring-profile vortex solitons, featuring a bright shape, appear to be very rare in nature. However, here we show that they exist and can be made dynamically stable in defocusing cubic nonlinear media with an imprinted Bessel optical lattice. We find the families of vortex solitons and reveal their salient properties, including the conditions required for their stability. We show that the higher the soliton topological charge, the deeper the lattice modulation necessary for stabilization.     

中空圆柱形边界条件下非线性介质中的晶格孤子

本文采用自相似方法求解中空圆柱形边界贝塞尔晶格中变系数非线性薛定谔方程, 得到了与数值模拟解一致的解析解, 表明由非衍射贝塞尔光束诱导的光子晶格可支持稳定的自相似孤子簇. 精确解ψ_mn是n+2层, 2m极的多极孤立波, 其形状及大小在传播过程中保持不变. 关键词： 空间光孤子 贝塞尔晶格 边界 自相似     

Surface gap solitons

We put forward the existence of surface gap solitons at the interface between uniform media and an optical lattice with defocusing nonlinearity. Such new type of solitons forms when the incident and reflected waves at the interface of the lattice experience Bragg scattering, and feature a combination of the unique properties of both surface waves and gap solitons. We discover that gap surface solitons exist only when the lattice depth exceeds a threshold value, that they can be made completely stable, and that they can form stable bound states.     

Self-Deflection of Dark Screening Spatial Solitons Based on Higher-Order Space Charge Field

The effects of higher-order space charge field on the self-deflection of dark screening spatial solitons in biased photorefractive crystals are numerically investigated under steady-state conditions. The expression for an induced space-charge electric field including higher-order space-charge field terms is obtained. Numerical results indicate that dark solitons possess a self-deflection process during propagation, and the solitons always bend in the direction of the c axis of the crystal. The self-deflection of dark solitons can experience considerable increase especially in the regime of high bias field strengths.     

Soliton topology versus discrete symmetry in optical lattices

We address the existence of vortex solitons supported by azimuthally modulated lattices and reveal how the global lattice discrete symmetry has fundamental implications on the possible topological charges of solitons. We set a general "charge rule" using group-theory techniques, which holds for all lattices belonging to a given symmetry group. Focusing on the case of Bessel lattices allows us to derive also an overall stability rule for the allowed vortex solitons.     

Rotary solitons in bessel optical lattices

We introduce solitons supported by Bessel photonic lattices in cubic nonlinear media. We show that the cylindrical geometry of the lattice, with several concentric rings, affords unique soliton properties and dynamics. In particular, in addition to the lowest-order solitons trapped in the center of the lattice, we find soliton families trapped at different lattice rings. Such solitons can be set into controlled rotation inside each ring, thus featuring novel types of in-ring and inter-ring soliton interactions.     

三体相互作用下Bessel型光晶格中物质波孤立子的稳定性研究

研究了两体和三体相互作用空间调制情形下Bessel型光晶格中准二维玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚体系中物质波孤立子的稳定性.利用标准的变分法程序,得出体系有效势能的表达式,进而根据有效势能结构给出了体系的稳定性条件.结果表明,在有Bessel型光晶格和没有Bessel型光晶格的情况下,体系均能形成稳定的孤立子解,但是有晶格参与时,体系有很大范围的稳定区间.另外,稳定性受两体相互作用和三体相互作用共同支配,其中两体相互作用对体系的稳定性起主导作用,三体相互作用和相互作用的空间调制只对稳定性起调节作用,但是在特定情况下,必须要有三体相互作用或者相互作用空间调制的参与才能形成稳定的孤立子解.     

三体相互作用下Bessel型光晶格中物质波孤立子的稳定性研究

研究了两体和三体相互作用空间调制情形下Bessel型光晶格中准二维玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚体系中物质波孤立子的稳定性. 利用标准的变分法程序, 得出体系有效势能的表达式, 进而根据有效势能结构给出了体系的稳定性条件. 结果表明, 在有Bessel型光晶格和没有Bessel型光晶格的情况下, 体系均能形成稳定的孤立子解, 但是有晶格参与时, 体系有很大范围的稳定区间. 另外, 稳定性受两体相互作用和三体相互作用共同支配, 其中两体相互作用对体系的稳定性起主导作用, 三体相互作用和相互作用的空间调制只对稳定性起调节作用, 但是在特定情况下, 必须要有三体相互作用或者相互作用空间调制的参与才能形成稳定的孤立子解.     

Observation of discrete solitons in optically induced real time waveguide arrays

We report the first experimental observation of discrete solitons in an array of optically induced waveguides. The waveguide lattice is induced in real time by illuminating a photorefractive crystal with a pair of interfering plane waves. We demonstrate two types of bright discrete solitons: in-phase self-localized states and the staggered (pi out-of-phase) soliton family. This experiment is the first observation of bright staggered solitons in any physical system. Our scheme paves the way for reconfigurable focusing and defocusing photonic lattices where low-power (mW) discrete solitons can be thoroughly investigated.     

Two-Dimensional Laguerre--Gaussian Asymmetric Soliton Family in Strongly Nonlocal Media

We demonstrate the existence of a broad class of higher-order Laguerre Gaussian asymmetric spatial optical solitons in strongly nonlocal nonlinear media. Furthermore, we discuss specific values （q = 0） of the modulation depth parameter for different rational values of the topological charge in detail. Our results show that higherorder asymmetry spatial sofiton family can exist in various forms, such as two-dimensional defect haff-solitons, asymmetric single-layer and multi-layer necklace solitons.     

Discrete light bullets in two-dimensional photonic lattices: Collision scenarios

We report systematic results of collisions between discrete spatiotemporal optical solitons in two-dimensional photonic lattices. We show that the outcomes of collisions strongly depend on the initial soliton parameters, such as their input amplitudes (energies) and their transverse velocities. Four generic outcomes are identified in the study of collisions between discrete light bullets located in the corner, at the edge, and in the center of the photonic lattice: (a) merger of both low and high amplitude solitons into a single one, at small values of the kick parameter (soliton transverse velocity), (b) spreading of low amplitude solitons at intermediate values of the kick parameter, (c) bouncing of high amplitude solitons at intermediate values of the kick parameter, which is accompanied by a sharp modification of input soliton transverse velocities, and (d) quasi-elastic (symmetric) interactions of both low and high amplitude solitons at large values of the kick parameter.