Method for generating solitons sustained by competing nonlinearities by use of optical rectification

We put forward a method for generating engineerable competing quadratic and cubic nonlinearities in suitable settings in which frequency generation is accompanied by optical rectification. The novel scheme is based on the full exploitation of the geometrical conditions that determine the magnitude of the rectified fields and translates the different orientations of an elliptical pump beam into tunable nonlinearities, which can be used to act on the spectral composition and overall features of optical solitons.     

Spatiotemporal surface solitons in two-dimensional photonic lattices

We analyze spatiotemporal light localization in truncated two-dimensional photonic lattices and demonstrate the existence of two-dimensional surface light bullets localized in the lattice corners or the edges. We study the families of the spatiotemporal surface solitons and their properties such as bistability and compare them with the modes located deep inside the photonic lattice.     

Interface discrete light bullets in waveguide arrays

We analyze spatiotemporal light localization at the interface separating two different periodic photonic lattices. We demonstrate the existence of a novel class of continuous-discrete spatiotemporal solitons propagating along the interface, including hybrid staggered-unstaggered discrete light bullets with tails belonging to spectral gaps of different types.     

Gelatin Reinforced with CNCs as Nanocomposite Matrix for Trichoderma harzianum KUEN 1585 Spores in Seed Coatings

Increasing interest on sustainable agriculture has led to the development of new materials which can be used as seed coating agents. In this study, a new material was developed based on gelatin film reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) which was further used as nanocomposite matrix for Trichoderma harzianum KUEN 1585 spores. The nanocomposite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showing the formation of new hydrogen bonds between the components with a good compatibility between them. Measurements of water contact angles and tests of water vapor sorption and swelling degree revealed an improvement in the water vapor absorption properties of the films as a result of their reinforcement with CNC. Furthermore, by adding the Trichoderma harzianum KUEN 1585 spp. in the seed coating material, the germination percentage, speed of germination and roots length of the corn seeds improved. The polymeric coating did not inhibit the growth of T. harzianum KUEN 1585, with this material being a good candidate in modern agriculture.     

Generation of ring-shaped optical vortices in dissipative media by inhomogeneous effective diffusion

Nonlinear Dynamics - By means of systematic simulations, we demonstrate generation of a variety of ring-shaped optical vortices (OVs) from a two-dimensional input with embedded vorticity, in a...     

Circularly polarized few-optical-cycle solitons in Kerr media: A complex modified Korteweg-de Vries model

We consider the propagation of few-cycle pulses (FCPs) in cubic nonlinear media exhibiting a “crystal-like” structure, beyond the slowly varying envelope approximation, taking into account the wave polarization. By using the reductive perturbation method we derive from the Maxwell–Bloch–Heisenberg equations, in the long-wave-approximation regime, a non-integrable complex modified Korteweg-de Vries equation describing the propagation of circularly polarized (CP) FCPs. By direct numerical simulations of the governing nonlinear partial differential equation we get robust CP FCPs and we show that the unstable ones decays into linearly polarized half-cycle pulses, whose polarization direction slowly rotates around the propagation axis.     

Subwavelength vortical plasmonic lattice solitons

We present a theoretical study of vortical plasmonic lattice solitons, which form in two-dimensional arrays of metallic nanowires embedded into nonlinear media with both focusing and defocusing Kerr nonlinearities. Their existence, stability, and subwavelength spatial confinement are investigated in detail.     

Optical Dyakonov surface waves at magnetic interfaces

We address the existence and properties of lossless surface waves that form at interfaces between magnetic and birefringent media. We show that the angular domain of existence of Dyakonov surface waves for magnetic interfaces is significantly larger than that for nonmagnetic ones. Our results have important implications for the experimental generation of surface waves and for their potential applications based on guided-to-leaky transitions.     

Soliton dynamics of symmetry-endowed two-soliton solutions of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation

A comprehensive analysis is presented of the propagation of symmetry-endowed two-soliton solutions under the influence of various perturbations important in nonlinear optics. Thus, we begin by introducing the analytical expressions of these two-soliton solutions. Then, by considering perturbations which preserve the initial symmetry of the two-soliton solutions, the dependence of the soliton parameters on the propagation distance is determined by using an adiabatic perturbation method. As perturbations of this kind, important for soliton-based communication systems, we consider the bandwidth-limited amplification, nonlinear amplification, and amplitude and phase modulation. Moreover, the results obtained by the adiabatic perturbation method are compared with those obtained by direct numerical simulations of the corresponding governing differential equations. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.