Polarization effects and manifestations of nonparaxiality in collisions of soliton-like beams (pulses)

Collisions of polarized soliton-like light beams are analyzed numerically. The polarization is shown to influence considerably the merging of the solitons, the energy exchange between them, and the increase in their number in the process of collision. In addition to the polarization effects, induced anisotropy and nonparaxiality can also manifest themselves substantially in collisions. The disturbance of the soliton structure of the beam in consequence of the finite length of a pulse is shown to give rise to distortions of its profile, which are considerably enhanced in collisions and can lead to a fragmentation of the beams in the direction of propagation.