Eigenvalues of the Zakharov-Shabat scattering problem for two separated sech-shaped pulses

It is shown that the initial condition of two separated sech-shaped in-phase pulses in the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, may give rise to not only stationary solitons, but also symmetrically separating solitons, provided the initial distance of separation is large enough. The critical distance between the pulses for which a separating soliton pair can be found for certain amplitudes is derived using a variational approach.     

Interferometric generation of dark spatial solitons in a photorefractive Bi12TiO20 crystal

We present an interferometric way to generate dark spatial solitons by propagating two coherent beams in a photorefractive Bi₁₂TiO₂₀ crystal under application of an external electric field. Our results shown that the initial width, initial separation, and relative phase between the beams allow to control the type of dark soliton generated.     

Stabilization of spatiotemporal solitons in second-harmonic-generating media

We report the results of a systematic analysis of the existence and stability of spatiotemporal (two-dimensional) solitons (STSs) in the model of a planar waveguide with the intrinsic χ⁽²⁾ nonlinearity. Fundamental obstacles to the creation of STSs under physically realistic conditions are the normal sign of the group-velocity dispersion (GVD) at the second harmonic (SH), and the significant group-velocity mismatch (GVM) between the SH and fundamental-frequency (FF) components. To construct STS solutions in a numerical form, we adjust the iterative method, which was recently used for finding temporal (one-dimensional) χ⁽²⁾ solitons in a similar setting. We identify effective existence borders for the STSs, within which the energy loss to the generation of extended “tails” in the SH component (due to the normal sign of the GVD) is negligible. It is demonstrated that the existence region can be made much broader by means of the GVD-management and GVM-management techniques. We also explore interactions between the STSs, and find robust two-soliton bound states, with a moderate separation in the longitudinal (temporal) direction. Head-on collisions between the STSs are always destructive.     

Oscillations of the soliton parameters in nonlinear interference phenomena

Applying the inverse scattering transform method, we show that a soliton modified by an amplitude or phase filter can evolve into several solitons. The oscillation period upon subsequent propagation follows from the wavenumbers of the emerging solitons and the radiation. Our results clarify spectral variations observed in recent supercontinuum experiments.     

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.     

Exact domain-wall solitons

We provide exact periodic and soliton solutions of optical domain-wall structures that arise due to modulation instability in a nonlinear medium with normal dispersion.     

Modulational instability in the cubic-quintic nonlinear Schrödinger equation through the variational approach

The dynamics of nonlinear pulse propagation in an average dispersion-managed soliton system is governed by a constant coefficient nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation. For a special set of parameters the constant coefficient NLS equation is completely integrable. The same constant coefficient NLS equation is also applicable to optical fiber systems with phase modulation or pulse compression. We also investigate MI arising in the cubic-quintic nonlinear Schrödinger equation for ultrashort pulse propagation. Within this framework, we derive ordinary differential equations (ODE’s) for the time evolution of the amplitude and phase of modulation perturbations. Analyzing the ensuing ODE’s, we derive the classical modulational instability criterion and identify it numerically. We show that the quintic nonlinearity can be essential for the stability of solutions. The evolutions of modulational instability are numerically investigated and the effects of the quintic nonlinearity on the evolutions are examined. Numerical simulations demonstrate the validity of the analytical predictions.     

Matter wave soliton collisions in the quasi one-dimensional potential

We consider soliton solutions of a two-dimensional nonlinear system with the self-focusing nonlinearity and a quasi 1D confining potential, taking harmonic potential as an example. We investigate a single soliton in detail and find criterion for possible collapse. This information is then used to investigate the dynamics of the two soliton collision. In this dynamics we identify three regimes according to the relation between nonlinear interaction and the excitation energy: elastic collision, excitation and collapse regime. We show that surprisingly accurate predictions can be obtained from variational analysis.     

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).     

Composite spatial solitons in a saturable nonlinear bulk medium

We review the generation of the recently predicted multi-component spatial optical solitons in a saturable nonlinear bulk medium. We present numerical simulations for an effectively isotropic model and experimental results for a set of different combinations of a Gaussian beam co-propagating incoherently with a beam of a more complex internal structure, such as a higher order transverse laser mode. We discuss the different formation processes and the general properties of a variety of different dipole-mode composite solitons and expand our investigations to the generation of a quadrupole-mode composite soliton. Received: 1 December 2000 / Revised version: 12 January 2001 / Published online: 21 March 2001     

Exact chirped gray soliton solutions of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with variable coefficients

In this paper, we consider the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with variable coefficients, and by using direct transformation of variables and functions, the explicit chirped gray one- and two-soliton solutions are presented. Based on the exact solutions, we in detail analyze the propagation characteristics of the chirped gray soliton, including the stability against either the deviation from integrable condition or the initial perturbation, and interaction between the chirped gray solitons. The results show that the gray soliton can be compressed by choosing the appropriate initial chirp, and the chirped gray pulses can stably propagate along optical fibers remaining the character of solitons.     

Exact X-wave solutions of the hyperbolic nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a supporting potential

We find exact solutions of the two- and three-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a supporting potential. We focus in the case where the diffraction operator is of the hyperbolic type and both the potential and the solution have the form of an X-wave. Following similar arguments, several additional families of exact solutions can also can be found irrespectively of the type of the diffraction operator (hyperbolic or elliptic) or the dimensionality of the problem. In particular we present two such examples: The one-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a stationary and a “breathing” potential and the two-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger with a Bessel potential.     

Complete and orthonormal eigenfunctions of excitations to a one-dimensional dark soliton

We study linear excitations to a one-dimensional dark soliton described by a defocusing nonlinear Schödinger equation. By solving an eigenvalue problem for the excitations we obtain all eigenvalues and eigenfunctions and prove rigorously that these eigenfunctions are orthonormal and form a complete set. We then use the eigenfunctions to obtain the exact form of linear excitations for any given initial condition and to investigate the transverse stability of the dark soliton. The rigorous results reported in the present work can be applied to study the dynamics of dark solitons in various nonlinear optical media and Bose-Einstein condensates.     

Generation and propagation of pulse trains with ultrashort pulse separation

We investigate the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with variable coefficients by employing perturbation method. The analysis solution of the harmonic form is presented. The solution is one of forms to describe pulse trains with ultrashort pulse separation, which is about two orders of magnitude shorter than one of sech-type solitons considered before. And we could systematically adjust the perturbation parameter to obtain different pulse separation. As an example, we consider a nonlinear dispersive system with spatial parameter variations, and the results show that, the pulse train with ultrashort pulse separation presented by analysis solution may keep its shape even if the velocity is changed. The stability of the solution is discussed numerically, and the results reveal that the finite initial perturbations, such as white noise could not influence the main character of the solution. In addition, the stability of the solution is also discussed under more general conditions.     

On the behaviour of dispersion-managed soliton from the perspective of its energy components

We investigate the behaviour of dispersion-managed (DM) soliton from its energy. Using the variational analysis, it is possible to represent the energy of the DM soliton as a combination of three components, respectively, one component for the average dispersion of the optical fiber, second component for the local dispersion of the dispersion map and the third component for the Hamiltonian of the anomalous fiber section. From the results of the numerical simulations, we show that the Hamiltonian component of the DM soliton energy plays a vital role in the determination of its stability.     

Interactions of solitons with complex defects in Bragg gratings

We examine collisions of moving solitons in a fiber Bragg grating with a triplet composed of two closely set repulsive defects of the grating and an attractive one inserted between them. A doublet (dipole), consisting of attractive and repulsive defects with a small distance between them, is considered too. Systematic simulations demonstrate that the triplet provides for superior results, as concerns the capture of a free pulse and creation of a standing optical soliton, in comparison with recently studied traps formed by single and paired defects, as well as the doublet: 2/3 of the energy of the incident soliton can be captured when its velocity attains half the light speed in the fiber (the case most relevant to the experiment), and the captured soliton quickly relaxes to a stationary state. A subsequent collision between another free soliton and the pinned one is examined too, demonstrating that the impinging soliton always bounces back, while the pinned one either remains in the same state, or is kicked out forward, depending on the collision velocity and phase shift between the solitons.     

Cascade compression induced by nonlinear barriers in propagation of optical solitons

We investigate the nonlinear tunneling of optical solitons through both dispersion and nonlinear barriers by employing the exact solution of the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation with variable coefficients. The extensive numerical simulations show that the optical solitons can be efficiently compressed when they pass through adequate engineered nonlinear barriers. A cascade compression system in a dispersion decreasing fiber with nonlinear barriers on an exponential background is proposed and the cascade compression of optical pulses is further investigated in detail. Finally, the stability to various initial perturbations of the cascade compressed optical soliton and the interaction between two neighboring compressed solitons were investigated too.     

Travelling Wave Solutions of Triple Sine-Gordon Equation

Using a complete discrimination system for polynomials and elementary integral method, we obtain the travelling solutions for triple sine-Gordon equation. This method can be applied to similar problems and has general meaning.     

Localization phenomena in nonlinear Schrödinger equations with spatially inhomogeneous nonlinearities: Theory and applications to Bose-Einstein condensates

We study the properties of the ground state of nonlinear Schrödinger equations with spatially inhomogeneous interactions and show that it experiences a strong localization on the spatial region where the interactions vanish. At the same time, tunneling to regions with positive values of the interactions is strongly suppressed by the nonlinear interactions and as the number of particles is increased it saturates in the region of finite interaction values. The chemical potential has a cutoff value in these systems and thus takes values on a finite interval. The applicability of the phenomenon to Bose-Einstein condensates is discussed in detail.