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.     

Vector Lattice Vortex Solitons

Two-dimensional vector vortex solitons in harmonic optical lattices are investigated. The stability properties of such solitons are closely connected to the lattice depth V0. For small V0, vector vortex solitons with the total zero-angular momentum are more stable than those with the total nonzero-angular momentum, while for large V0, this case is inversed. If V0 is large enough, both the types of such solitons are stable.     

Nonlinear dynamical stability of gap solitons in Bose-Einstein condensate loaded in a deformed honeycomb optical lattice

We investigate the existence and dynamical stability of multipole gap solitons in Bose-Einstein condensate loaded in a deformed honeycomb optical lattice. Honeycomb lattices possess a unique band structure, the first and second bands intersect at a set of so-called Dirac points. Deformation can result in the merging and disappearance of the Dirac points, and support the gap solitons. We find that the two-dimensional honeycomb optical lattices admit multipole gap solitons. These multipoles can have their bright solitary structures being in-phase or out-of-phase. We also investigate the linear stabilities and nonlinear stabilities of these gap solitons. These results have applications of the localized structures in nonlinear optics, and may helpful for exploiting topological properties of a deformed lattice.     

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.     

Power-dependent shaping of vortex solitons in optical lattices with spatially modulated nonlinear refractive index

We address vortex solitons supported by optical lattices featuring modulation of both the linear and nonlinear refractive indices. We find that when the modulation is out of phase the competition between both effects results in remarkable shape transformations of the solitons that profoundly affect their properties and stability. Nonlinear refractive index modulation is found to impose restrictions on the maximal power of off-site solitons, which are shown to be stable only below a maximum nonlinearity modulation depth.     

Solitons in thermal media with periodic modulation of linear refractive index

We address the existence and properties of solitons in thermal media with periodic modulation of linear refractive index. Many kinds of solitons in such optical lattices, including symmetric and antisymmetric lattices, are found under different conditions. We study the influence of the refractive index difference between two different layers on solitons. It is also found that there do not exist cutoff value of propagation constant and soliton power for shifted lattice solitons. In addition, the solitons launched away from their stationary position may propagate without oscillation when the confinement from lattices is strong.     

Higher-order surface solitons in one-dimensional Bessel optical lattices

We demonstrate the existence of higher-order solitons occurring at an interface separating two one-dimensional (1D) Bessel optical lattices with different orders or modulation depths in a defocusing medium. We show that, in contrast to homogeneous waveguides where higher-order solitons are always unstable, the Bessel lattices with an interface support branches of higher-order structures bifurcating from the corresponding linear modes. The profiles of solitons depend remarkably on the lattice parameters and the stability can be enhanced by increasing the lattice depth and selecting higher-order lattices. We also reveal that the interface model with defocusing saturable Kerr nonlinearity can support stable multi-peaked solitons. The uncovered phenomena may open a new way for soliton control and manipulation.     

Controlled generation and steering of spatial gap solitons

We demonstrate the first fully controlled generation of immobile and slow spatial gap solitons in nonlinear periodic systems with band-gap spectra, and observe the key features of gap solitons that distinguish them from discrete solitons, including a dynamical transformation of gap solitons due to nonlinear interband coupling. We also describe theoretically and confirm experimentally the effect of the anomalous steering of gap solitons in optically induced photonic lattices.     

Observation of discrete gap solitons in one-dimensional waveguide arrays with alternating spacings and saturable defocusing nonlinearity

We consider, both experimentally and theoretically, the existence and stability of localized, symmetric, and antisymmetric gap solitons (GSs) in binary lattices of identical waveguides but with alternating spacings. Furthermore, the properties of surface GSs at the boundary of the lattice are explored.     

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.     

Spatiotemporal discrete Ginzburg-Landau solitons in two-dimensional photonic lattices

In the framework of the continuous-discrete cubic-quintic Ginzburg-Landau model, spatiotemporal dissipative solitons which are highly confined inside two-dimensional photonic lattices are found numerically. The domains of existence in the relevant parameter space, of in-phase (unstaggered) on-site (single-peaked), inter-site (double-peaked), and flat-top-like (four-peaked) spatiotemporal dissipative solitons are determined. We show that the on-site solitons are stable in the whole domain of their existence and we find the stability domains of both inter-site and flat-top-like solitons. We describe the complex instability-induced scenarios of the dynamics of spatiotemporal discrete Ginzburg-Landau solitons in two-dimensional photonic lattices.     

Surface defect gap solitons in one-dimensional dual-frequency lattices

We study the surface defect gap solitons in an interface between a defect of one-dimensional dual-frequency lattices and the uniform media. Some unique properties are revealed that such lattices can broaden the region of semi-finite gap, and the semi-finite gap exists not only in the positive and zero defects but also in the negative defect; unlike in the regular lattices, the semi-finite gap exists in the positive and zero defects but does not exist in the negative defect. In particular, stable solitons exist almost in the whole semi-finite gap for the positive and zero defects. These properties are different from other lattices with defects. In addition, it is found that the existence of surface dual-frequency lattice solitons does not need a threshold power.     

Surface defect solitons at interfaces between dual-frequency and simple lattices

We reveal theoretically the existence and stability of surface defect solitons (SDSs) at interfaces between dual-frequency and simple lattices with focusing saturable nonlinearity. Solitons with some unique properties exist in such composite structures with the change of defect intensity. For zero defect or positive defect, the surface solitons exist at the semi-infinite gap and cannot exist in the first gap, and solitons are stable at lower power but unstable at high power. For the case of negative defect, the surface solitons exist not only in the semi-infinite gap, but also in the first gap. With increasing the defect depth, the stable region of surface solitons becomes narrower in the semi-infinite gap, these solitons are stable within a moderate power region in the first gap within unstable solitons in the entire semi-infinite gap.     

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.     

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     

Random-phase solitons in nonlinear periodic lattices

We predict the existence of random phase solitons in nonlinear periodic lattices. These solitons exist when the nonlinear response time is much longer than the characteristic time of random phase fluctuations. The intensity profiles, power spectra, and statistical (coherence) properties of these stationary waves conform to the periodicity of the lattice. The general phenomenon of such solitons is analyzed in the context of nonlinear photonic lattices.     

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.     

Gap solitons supported by optical lattices in biased centrosymmetric photorefractive crystals

We analyze the existence and stability of gap solitons supported by optical lattices with self-focusing nonlinearity in biased centrosymmetric photorefractive crystals. It is shown that, in first finite bandgap, gap solitons are symmetric in transverse dimension, single humped, entirely positive and linearly stable, while these solitons are antisymmetric with similar profiles, the stable and unstable intervals of the gap solitons are intertwined in the second finite bandgap.     

Solitons in complex optical lattices

We present an overview of our recent results in the area of soliton excitation and control in optical lattices induced by different types of nondiffracting beams featuring unique symmetries. Optical lattices offer the possibility to engineer and to control the diffraction of light beams in media with transversally modulated optical properties, to manage the corresponding reflection and transmission bands, and to form specially designed defects. Consequently, they afford the existence of a rich variety of new families of nonlinear stationary waves and solitons, lead to new rich dynamical phenomena, and offer novel conceptual opportunities for all-optical shaping, switching and routing of optical signals encoded in soliton formats. In this overview, we consider different types of solitons, including fundamental, multipole, and vortex solitons in reconfigurable lattices optically induced by nondiffracting radially symmetric and azimuthally modulated single Bessel beams, soliton control in networks, couplers, and switches induced by several mutually coherent or incoherent Bessel beams, we address soliton properties in three-dimensional Bessel lattices, as well as in lattices produced by Mathieu and parabolic optical beams.