Self-trapped spatially localized states in combined linear-nonlinear periodic potentials

We analyze the existence and stability of two kinds of self-trapped spatially localized gap modes,gap solitons and truncated nonlinear Bloch waves,in one-and two-dimensional optical or matter-wave media with self-focusing nonlinearity,supported by a combination of linear and nonlinear periodic lattice potentials.The former is found to be stable once placed inside a single well of the nonlinear lattice,it is unstable otherwise.Contrary to the case with constant self-focusing nonlinearity,where the latter solution is always unstable,here,we demonstrate that it nevertheless can be stabilized by the nonlinear lattice since the model under consideration combines the unique properties of both the linear and nonlinear lattices.The practical possibilities for experimental realization of the predicted solutions are also discussed.     

Multicolor lattice solitons

We report on the existence of multicolor solitons supported by periodic lattices made from quadratic nonlinear media. Such lattice solitons bridge the gap between continuous solitons in uniform media and discrete solitons in strongly localized systems and exhibit a wealth of new features. We discovered that, in contrast to uniform media, multipeaked lattice solitons are stable. Thus they open new opportunities for all-optical switching based on soliton packets.     

Power controlled soliton stability and steering in lattices with saturable nonlinearity

Dynamical properties of discrete solitons in nonlinear Schr?dinger lattices with saturable nonlinearity are studied in the framework of the one-dimensional discrete Vinetskii-Kukhtarev model. Two stationary strongly localized modes, centered on site (A) and between two neighboring sites (B), are obtained. The associated Peierls-Nabarro potential is bounded and has multiple zeros indicating strong implications on the stability and dynamics of the localized modes. Besides a stable propagation of mode A, a stable propagation of mode B is also possible. The enhanced ability of the large power solitons to move across the lattice is pointed out and numerically verified.     

Stationary wave packets in the Kerr nonlinear media with imaginary harmonic potential and linear gain

The existence of stationary wave packets in the nonlinear Kerr media with an imaginary harmonic potential and a linear gain is investigated. By employing a variational approach the existence of stable bright solitons is shown for the case of a defocusing nonlinearity. In focusing nonlinear media, the bright solitons have been shown to be unstable. The predictions of variational approach are confirmed by numerical simulations of the full modified NLS equation. The predicted stationary localized wave packets can be observed in a quasi-one-dimensional BEC with an imaginary optical potential and atoms feeding.     

Dynamics of vector solitons and vortices in two-dimensional photonic lattices

We study discrete vector solitons and vortices in two-dimensional photonic lattices with Kerr nonlinearity and demonstrate novel types of stable, incoherently coupled dipoles and vortex-soliton complexes that can be excited by Gaussian beams. We also discuss what we believe to be novel scenarios of the charge-flipping instability of incoherently coupled discrete vortices.     

Exact solutions for bright and dark solitons in spatially inhomogeneous nonlinearity

We present exact analytical results for bright and dark solitons in a type of one-dimensional spatially inhomogeneous nonlinearity. We show that the competition between a homogeneous self-defocusing (SDF) nonlinearity and a localized self-focusing (SF) nonlinearity supports stable fundamental bright solitons. For a specific choice of the nonlinear parameters, exact analytical solutions for fundamental bright solitons have been obtained. By applying both variational approximation and Vakhitov-Kolokolov stability criterion, it is found that exact fundamental bright solitons are stable. Our analytical results are also confirmed numerically. Additionally, we show that a homogeneous SF nonlinearity modulated by a localized SF nonlinearity allows the existence of exact dark solitons, for certain special cases of nonlinear parameters. By making use of linear stability analysis and direct numerical simulation, it is found that these exact dark solitons are linearly unstable.     

Two-dimensional matter-wave solitons and vortices in competing cubic-quintic nonlinear lattices

The nonlinear lattice — a new and nonlinear class of periodic potentials — was recently introduced to generate various nonlinear localized modes. Several attempts failed to stabilize two-dimensional (2D) solitons against their intrinsic critical collapse in Kerr media. Here, we provide a possibility for supporting 2D matter-wave solitons and vortices in an extended setting — the cubic and quintic model — by introducing another nonlinear lattice whose period is controllable and can be different from its cubic counterpart, to its quintic nonlinearity, therefore making a fully “nonlinear quasi-crystal”.A variational approximation based on Gaussian ansatz is developed for the fundamental solitons and in particular, their stability exactly follows the inverted Vakhitov–Kolokolov stability criterion, whereas the vortex solitons are only studied by means of numerical methods. Stability regions for two types of localized mode — the fundamental and vortex solitons — are provided. A noteworthy feature of the localized solutions is that the vortex solitons are stable only when the period of the quintic nonlinear lattice is the same as the cubic one or when the quintic nonlinearity is constant, while the stable fundamental solitons can be created under looser conditions. Our physical setting (cubic-quintic model) is in the framework of the Gross–Pitaevskii equation or nonlinear Schrödinger equation, the predicted localized modes thus may be implemented in Bose–Einstein condensates and nonlinear optical media with tunable cubic and quintic nonlinearities.     

Rotary dynamics of solitons in radially periodic optical lattices

We investigate the dynamics of strongly localized solitons trapped in remote troughs of radially periodic lattices with Kerr-type self-focusing nonlinearity. The rotary motion of solitons is found to be more stable for larger nonlinear wavenumbers, lower rotating velocity, and shorter radius of the trapping troughs. When the lattice is shrunk or expanded upon propagation, the solitons can be trapped in the original trough and move outward or inward, with their rotating linear velocity inversely proportional to the radius of the trapping troughs.     

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.     

On diffraction and dispersion effect on three wave interaction

The effect of diffraction and dispersion on three wave coupling is investigated. The instability leading to space modulation of packets is obtained. This instability and its nonlinear stage is similar to modulational instability of quasimonochromatic waves. The localized structures (solitons and waveguide) can be a result of the instability. We demonstrate that one-dimensional and two-dimensional such structures are unstable. The existence of stable three-dimensional solitons is shown.     

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.     

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     

Higher-order solitons in amplitude-disordered waveguide arrays

We investigate the existence and stability of different families of spatial solitons in optical waveguide arrays whose amplitudes obey a disordered distribution. The competition between focusing nonlinearity and linearly disordered refractive index modulation results in the formation of spatial localized nonlinear states. Solitons originating from Anderson modes with few nodes are robust during propagation. While multi-peaked solitons with in-phase neighboring components are completely unstable, multipole-mode solitons whose neighboring components are out-of-phase can propagate stably in wide parameter regions provided that their power exceeds a critical value. Our findings, thus, provide the first example of stable higher-order nonlinear states in disordered systems.     

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.     

Solitons pinned to hot spots

We generalize a recently proposed model based on the cubic complex Ginzburg-Landau (CGL) equation, which gives rise to stable dissipative solitons supported by localized gain applied at a “hot spot” (HS), in the presence of the linear loss in the bulk. We introduce a model with the Kerr nonlinearity concentrated at the HS, together with the local gain and, possibly, with the local nonlinear loss. The model, which may be implemented in laser cavities based on planar waveguides, gives rise to exact solutions for pinned dissipative solitons. In the case when the HS does not include the localized nonlinear loss, numerical tests demonstrate that these solitons are stable/unstable if the localized nonlinearity is self-defocusing/focusing. Another new setting considered in this work is a pair of two symmetric HSs. We find exact asymmetric solutions for it, although they are unstable. Numerical simulations demonstrate that stable modes supported by the HS pair tend to be symmetric. An unexpected conclusion is that the interaction between breathers pinned to two broad HSs, which are the only stable modes in isolation in that case, transforms them into a static symmetric mode.     

Gap and dark solitons in discrete photorefractive media with?intensity-resonant nonlinearity

Light propagation in one-dimensional nonlinear waveguide arrays with self-defocusing intensity-resonant nonlinearity is investigated theoretically. We study thoroughly conditions for existence and stability of both gap and discrete dark solitons. According to the linear stability analysis both fundamental types (on-site and intersite) of gap solitons may be stable. Discrete dark solitons are unstable except in the low-power regime and, depending on system parameters, evolve into either gray solitons, breathers, or background radiation. Mobility of these solitons is analyzed by the free energy concept: gap solitons are immobile but dark solitons can be easily set in motion.     

Observation of discrete solitons and soliton rotation in optically induced periodic ring lattices

We report the first experimental demonstration of ring-shaped photonic lattices by optical induction and the formation of discrete solitons in such radially symmetric lattices. The transition from discrete diffraction to single-channel guidance or nonlinear self-trapping of a probe beam is achieved by fine-tuning the lattice potential or the focusing nonlinearity. In addition to solitons trapped in the lattice center and in different lattice rings, we demonstrate controlled soliton rotation in the Bessel-like ring lattices.     

Surface solitons in trilete lattices

Fundamental solitons pinned to the interface between three semi-infinite one-dimensional nonlinear dynamical chains, coupled at a single site, are investigated. The light propagation in the respective system with the self-attractive on-site cubic nonlinearity, which can be implemented as an array of nonlinear optical waveguides, is modeled by the system of three discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equations. The formation, stability and dynamics of symmetric and asymmetric fundamental solitons centered at the interface are investigated analytically by means of the variational approximation (VA) and in a numerical form. The VA predicts that two asymmetric and two antisymmetric branches exist in the entire parameter space, while four asymmetric modes and the symmetric one can be found below some critical value of the inter-lattice coupling parameter—actually, past the symmetry-breaking bifurcation. At this bifurcation point, the symmetric branch is destabilized and two new asymmetric soliton branches appear, one stable and the other unstable. In this area, the antisymmetric branch changes its character, getting stabilized against oscillatory perturbations. In direct simulations, unstable symmetric modes radiate a part of their power, staying trapped around the interface. Highly unstable asymmetric modes transform into localized breathers traveling from the interface region across the lattice without significant power loss.     

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.     

Optical solitons supported by finite waveguide lattices with diffusive nonlocal nonlinearity

We investigate the properties of fundamental, multi-peak, and multi-peaked twisted solitons in three types of finite waveguide lattices imprinted in photorefractive media with asymmetrical diffusion nonlinearity. Two opposite soliton self-bending signals are considered for different families of solitons. Power thresholdless fundamental and multi-peaked solitons are stable in the low power region. The existence domain of two-peaked twisted solitons can be changed by the soliton self-bending signals. When solitons tend to self-bend toward the waveguide lattice, stable two-peaked twisted solitons can be found in a larger region in the middle of their existence region. Three-peaked twisted solitons are stable in the lower (upper) cutoff region for a shallow (deep) lattice depth. Our results provide an effective guidance for revealing the soliton characteristics supported by a finite waveguide lattice with diffusive nonlocal nonlinearity.