Interaction of counterpropagating discrete solitons in a nonlinear one-dimensional waveguide array

We experimentally investigate the interaction of counterpropagating discrete solitons in a one-dimensional waveguide array in photorefractive lithium niobate. While for low input powers only weak interaction and formation of counterpropagating vector solitons are observed, for higher input powers a growing instability results in discrete lateral shifting of the formed discrete solitons. Numerical modeling shows the existence of three different regimes: stable propagation of vector solitons at low power, instability for intermediate power levels leading to discrete shifting of the two discrete solitons, and an irregular temporal dynamic behavior of the two beams for high input power.