Parametric self-trapping in the presence of randomized quasi phase matching

We report on experimental evidence of parametric spatial solitons in a quadratic crystal with randomized periodic ferroelectric poling. Two-color self-focusing via quadratic cascading overcomes the diffractive nature of both fundamental and frequency-doubled beams.     

Spatial soliton by cascading χ(2) effect and its self-induced wave-guide in quasi-phase-matched media

The formation of the spatial solitons in the quadratic nonlinearity χ(2) media by cascading second harmonicgeneration (SHG) in quasi-phase-matched (QPM) sample is studied on the basis of nonlinear Schrodingerequation (NLSE). When the solitary wave propagates in the QPM media, it formed optical wave-guidesthrough cascading χ(2) effect called self-induced soliton wave-guide. Transverse refractive index distribu-tion of the self-induced soliton wave-guide of fundamental and SHG wave is obtained by cascading process.Analysis of guided-mode of such self-induced soliton wave-guide is first proposed to our knowledge. Be-cause the power needed for forming the spatial solitons in cascading process is much lower than that inKerr media, this kind of self-induced soliton wave-guide shows potential applications in all-optical signalprocess.     

TEMPORAL OPTICAL SOLITONS VIA MULTISTEP χ(2) CASCADING

We consider a multistep χ⁽²⁾ cascading for light pulses with the dispersion of the system taken into account. Using the method of multiple scales we derive a set of coupled envelope equations governing the nonlinear evolution of the fundamental, second and third harmonic waves involved simultaneously in two nonlinear optical processes, i.e. second harmonic generation and sum frequency mixing. We show that three-wave temporal optical solitons are possible in three-and four-step cascading in the presence of a group-velocity mismatch between different pulses.     

From parametric gap solitons to chaos by means of second-harmonic generation in Bragg gratings

We review the theory of light localization due to the combined action of single or double Bragg coupling between dichromatic counterpropagating envelopes and parametric mixing nonlinearities. We discuss existence, stability, and excitation of such localized envelopes. We also investigate the link between stationary gap solitons and input-output response of nonlinear quadratic Bragg gratings. Frustrated transmission and multistable switching is expected to occur under suitable integrable (cascading) limits. Substantial deviations from these conditions lead to the onset of spatial chaos. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.     

Spatial optical solitons supported by mutual focusing

We study composite spatial optical solitons supported by two-wave mutual focusing induced by cross-phase modulation in Kerr-like nonlinear media. We find the families of both single- and two-hump solitons and discuss their properties and stability. We also reveal remarkable similarities between recently predicted holographic solitons in photorefractive media and parametric solitons in quadratic nonlinear crystals.     

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.     

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.     

Kummer solitons in strongly nonlocal nonlinear media

We solve the three-dimensional (3D) time-dependent strongly nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NNSE) in spherical coordinates, with the help of Kummer's functions. We obtain analytical solitary solutions, which we term the Kummer solitons. We compare analytical solutions with the numerical solutions of NNSE. We discuss higher-order Kummer spatial solitons, which can exist in various forms, such as the 3D vortex solitons and the multipole solitons.     

Characteristics for two kinds of cascading events

Avalanche or cascade failure is ubiquitous. We first classify the cascading phenomena into two categories: the cascading disasters which result in large-scale functional failures and the cascading events that do not lead to disasters. We elucidate that two important factors, the increasing amount of events and the acceleration of event frequency, can induce the crossover from the cascading phenomenon to the cascading disaster. Through a simplified sandpile model and a heuristic logistic map, we demonstrate that the dependence of the event number on the observation time behaves as a power-law and as an exponential for these two different cascading events, respectively. The analytic derivations are found to be consistent with several empirical observations. Our present findings contribute to the understanding of the transition between different cascading events, providing a basis for the further understanding of the transitions among more general critical events.     

Analytical solution for photorefractive screening solitons

We study formation and interaction of one-dimensional screening solitons in a photorefractive medium with sublinear dependence of the photoconductivity on light intensity. We find an exact analytical solution to the corresponding nonlinear Schrodinger equation. We show that these solitons are stable in propagation and their interaction is generic for solitons of saturable nonlinearity. In particular, they may fuse or "give birth" to new solitons upon collision.     

Incoherent spatial optical solitons in photorefractive crystals

In this paper we have presented a theoretical investigation on the propagation properties of incoherent solitons in photorefractive media which is characterized by noninstantaneous saturating nonlinearity. Using mutual coherence function approach, we have obtained the equation of existence curve for such solitons. We have discussed the coherence characteristics of these solitons. We have found that solitons with a particular radius can possess two different critical powers. The dynamical evolution of these solitons has been discussed in detail by both analytical and numerical simulation.     

Surface defect gap solitons in superlattices with self-defocusing nonlinearity

We put forward the existence and stability of defect surface gap solitons at the interface between uniform media and an superlattice with self-defocusing nonlinearity. We reveal that the defect plays the significant role in controlling the region of solitons existing. Various solitons are found to be existed in different gaps for different defects. For positive defects, fundamental solitons can exist stably in the semi-infinite gap, and dipole solitons can exist stably in the first gap but they are unstable in the second gap. For zero or negative defects, fundamental and dipole solitons can exist stably in the first gap and the second gap, respectively.     

Two-dimensional stationary nonlinear surface solitons in nonlocal nonlinear media

We address two-dimensional surface solitons occurring at the interface between a semi-infinite linear medium and a semi-infinite nonlocal nonlinear medium. We find that there exist stable single and dipole surface solitons. The properties of the surface solitons can be affected by the degree of nonlocality. Interestingly, only when the degree of nonlocality is greater than a critical value, the surface solitons can exist.     

Existence, bistability, and instability of Kerr-like parametric gap solitons in quadratic media

We investigate the existence and stability of parametric gap solitons in chi((2)) media in the limit of Kerr-equivalent nonlinearities. We reveal soliton branching (bistability) described by an explicit criterion. Unlike in other optical solitons, both branches of gap solitons can be unstable owing to oscillatory instabilities. Despite these mechanisms stable gap solitons do exist.     

Surface superlattice solitons in nonlocal nonlinear media

We analyse surface solitons at the interface between a one-dimensional photonic superlattice and a uniform medium with weak nonlocal nonlinearity. We demonstrate that in deep lattices there exist three kinds of surface solitons when the propagation constant exceeds a critical value, including two on-site solitons and one off-site soliton. These three kinds of surface solitons have unique dynamical properties. If the relative depth of the superlattice is low, there is only one kind of off-site soliton; however, the solitons of this kind can propagate stably, unlike their deep superlattice counterparts. Dipole surface solitons are also investigated, and the stable domain is given.     

Lattice-supported surface solitons in nonlocal nonlinear media

We reveal that lattice interfaces imprinted in nonlocal nonlinear media support surface solitons that do not exist in other similar settings, including interfaces of local and nonlocal uniform materials. We show the impact of nonlocality on the domains of existence and stability of the surface solitons, focusing on new types of dipole solitons residing partially inside the optical lattice. We find that such solitons feature strongly asymmetric shapes and that they are stable in large parts of their existence domain.     

Two-dimensional spatial solitons in highly nonlocal nonlinear media

We investigate, analytically and numerically, a class of novel higher-order spatial solitons in two transverse-dimensions, in highly nonlocal nonlinear media. The stability of these solutions in propagation is confirmed by direct numerical simulation. Our results demonstrate that the higher-order spatial solitons in highly nonlocal nonlinear media can exist in various forms, such as the fundamental solitons, vortex-ring solitons, multipole solitons, and fractional solitons.     

Multipole spatial vector solitons

We introduce the concept of multipole spatial optical vector solitons associated with higher-order guided modes trapped by a soliton-induced waveguide in a bulk medium. Such stationary localized waves include previously predicted vortex- and dipole-mode vector solitons and also describe new higher-order vector solitons and necklace-type beams. We present the theoretical and experimental results of the structure, formation, and instability development of the quadrupole vector solitons.     

Optical solitons due to quadratic nonlinearities: from basic physics to futuristic applications

We present an overview of nonlinear phenomena related to optical quadratic solitons—intrinsically multi-component localized states of light, which can exist in media without inversion symmetry at the molecular level. Starting with presentation of a few derivation schemes of basic equations describing three-wave parametric wave mixing in diffractive and/or dispersive quadratic media, we discuss their continuous wave solutions and modulational instability phenomena, and then move to the classification and stability analysis of the parametric solitary waves. Not limiting ourselves to the simplest spatial and temporal quadratic solitons we also overview results related to the spatio-temporal solitons (light bullets), higher order quadratic solitons, solitons due to competing nonlinearities, dark solitons, gap solitons, cavity solitons and vortices. Special attention is paid to a comprehensive discussion of the recent experimental demonstrations of the parametric solitons including their interactions and switching. We also discuss connections of quadratic solitons with other types of solitons in optics and their interdisciplinary significance.     

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.