Stable localized vortex solitons

Vortex Solitons in Quasi-Phase-Matched Photonic Crystals

We report solutions for stable compound solitons in a three-dimensional quasi-phase-matched photonic crystal with the quadratic (χ^{(2)}) nonlinearity. The photonic crystal is introduced with a checkerboard structure, which can be realized by means of the available technology. The solitons are built as four-peak vortex modes of two types, rhombuses and squares (intersite- and onsite-centered self-trapped states, respectively). Their stability areas are identified in the system's parametric space (rhombuses occupy an essentially broader stability domain), while all bright vortex solitons are subject to strong azimuthal instability in uniform χ^{(2)} media. Possibilities for experimental realization of the solitons are outlined.

Semidiscrete Quantum Droplets and Vortices

We consider a binary bosonic condensate with weak mean-field (MF) residual repulsion, loaded in an array of nearly one-dimensional traps coupled by transverse hopping. With the MF force balanced by the effectively one-dimensional attraction, induced in each trap by the Lee-Hung-Yang correction (produced by quantum fluctuations around the MF state), stable on-site- and intersite-centered semidiscrete quantum droplets (QDs) emerge in the array, as fundamental ones and self-trapped vortices, with winding numbers, at least, up to five, in both tightly bound and quasicontinuum forms. The application of a relatively strong trapping potential leads to squeezing transitions, which increase the number of sites in fundamental QDs and eventually replace vortex modes by fundamental or dipole ones. The results provide the first realization of stable semidiscrete vortex QDs, including ones with multiple vorticity.

Stabilization of solitons under competing nonlinearities by external potentials

We report results of the analysis for families of one-dimensional (1D) trapped solitons, created by competing self-focusing (SF) quintic and self-defocusing (SDF) cubic nonlinear terms. Two trapping potentials are considered, the harmonic-oscillator (HO) and delta-functional ones. The models apply to optical solitons in colloidal waveguides and other photonic media, and to matter-wave solitons in Bose-Einstein condensates loaded into a quasi-1D trap. For the HO potential, the results are obtained in an approximate form, using the variational and Thomas-Fermi approximations, and in a full numerical form, including the ground state and the first antisymmetric excited one. For the delta-functional attractive potential, the results are produced in a fully analytical form, and verified by means of numerical methods. Both exponentially localized solitons and weakly localized trapped modes are found for the delta-functional potential. The most essential conclusions concern the applicability of competing Vakhitov-Kolokolov (VK) and anti-VK criteria to the identification of the stability of solitons created under the action of the competing SF and SDF terms.

Stable three-dimensional optical solitons supported by competing quadratic and self-focusing cubic nonlinearities

We show that the quadratic (chi(2)) interaction of fundamental and second harmonics in a bulk dispersive medium, combined with self-focusing cubic (chi(3)) nonlinearity, give rise to stable three-dimensional spatiotemporal solitons (STSs), despite the possibility of the supercritical collapse, induced by the chi(3) nonlinearity. At exact phase matching (beta = 0) , the STSs are stable for energies from zero up to a certain maximum value, while for beta not equal 0 the solitons are stable in energy intervals between finite limits.

Stable solitons of even and odd parities supported by competing nonlocal nonlinearities

We introduce a one-dimensional phenomenological model of a nonlocal medium featuring focusing cubic and defocusing quintic nonlocal optical nonlinearities. By means of numerical methods, we find families of solitons of two types, even-parity (fundamental) and dipole-mode (odd-parity) ones. Stability of the solitons is explored by means of computation of eigenvalues associated with modes of small perturbations, and tested in direct simulations. We find that the stability of the fundamental solitons strictly follows the Vakhitov-Kolokolov criterion, whereas the dipole solitons can be destabilized through a Hamiltonian-Hopf bifurcation. The solitons of both types may be stable in the nonlocal model with only quintic self-attractive nonlinearity, in contrast with the instability of all solitons in the local version of the quintic model.

Dynamics of two-dimensional coherent structures in nonlocal nonlinear media

We study stability and dynamics of the single cylindrically symmetric solitary structures and dipolar solitonic molecules in spatially nonlocal media. The main properties of the solitons, vortex solitons, and dipolar solitons are investigated analytically and numerically. The vortices and higher-order solitons show the transverse symmetry-breaking azimuthal instability below some critical power. We find the threshold of the vortex soliton stabilization using the linear stability analysis and direct numerical simulations. The higher-order solitons, which have a central peak and one or more surrounding rings, are also demonstrated to be stabilized in nonlocal nonlinear media. Using direct numerical simulations, we find a class of radially asymmetric, dipolelike solitons and show that, at sufficiently high power, these structures are stable.

Stable vortex solitons in nonlocal self-focusing nonlinear media

We reveal that spatially localized vortex solitons become stable in self-focusing nonlinear media when the vortex symmetry-breaking azimuthal instability is eliminated by a nonlocal nonlinear response. We study the main properties of different types of vortex beams and discuss the physical mechanism of the vortex stabilization in spatially nonlocal nonlinear media.

Quasistable two-dimensional solitons with hidden and explicit vorticity in a medium with competing nonlinearities

We consider basic types of two-dimensional (2D) vortex solitons in a three-wave model combining quadratic chi((2)) and self-defocusing cubic chi((3))(-) nonlinearities. The system involves two fundamental-frequency (FF) waves with orthogonal polarizations and a single second-harmonic (SH) one. The model makes it possible to introduce a 2D soliton, with hidden vorticity (HV). Its vorticities in the two FF components are S(1,2) = +/-1 , whereas the SH carries no vorticity, S(3) = 0 . We also consider an ordinary compound vortex, with 2S(1) = 2S(2) = S(3) = 2 . Without the chi((3))(-) terms, the HV soliton and the ordinary vortex are moderately unstable. Within the propagation distance z approximately 15 diffraction lengths, Z(diffr), the former one turns itself into a usual zero-vorticity (ZV) soliton, while the latter splits into three ZV solitons (the splinters form a necklace pattern, with its own intrinsic dynamics). To gain analytical insight into the azimuthal instability of the HV solitons, we also consider its one-dimensional counterpart, viz., the modulational instability (MI) of a one-dimensional CW (continuous-wave) state with "hidden momentum," i.e., opposite wave numbers in its two components, concluding that such wave numbers may partly suppress the MI. As concerns analytical results, we also find exact solutions for spreading localized vortices in the 2D linear model; in terms of quantum mechanics, these are coherent states with angular momentum (we need these solutions to accurately define the diffraction length of the true solitons). The addition of the chi((3))(-) interaction strongly stabilizes both the HV solitons and the ordinary vortices, helping them to persist over z up to 50 Z(diffr). In terms of the possible experiment, they are completely stable objects. After very long propagation, the HV soliton splits into two ZV solitons, while the vortex with S(3) = 2S(1,2) = 2 splits into a set of three or four ZV solitons.

Stable ring-profile vortex solitons in bessel optical lattices

Stable ring-profile vortex solitons, featuring a bright shape, appear to be very rare in nature. However, here we show that they exist and can be made dynamically stable in defocusing cubic nonlinear media with an imprinted Bessel optical lattice. We find the families of vortex solitons and reveal their salient properties, including the conditions required for their stability. We show that the higher the soliton topological charge, the deeper the lattice modulation necessary for stabilization.

Two-dimensional solitons with hidden and explicit vorticity in bimodal cubic-quintic media

We demonstrate that two-dimensional two-component bright solitons of an annular shape, carrying vorticities (m,+/-m) in the components, may be stable in media with the cubic-quintic nonlinearity, including the hidden-vorticity (HV) solitons of the type (m,-m) , whose net vorticity is zero. Stability regions for the vortices of both (m,+/-m) types are identified for m=1 , 2, and 3, by dint of the calculation of stability eigenvalues, and in direct simulations. In addition to the well-known symmetry-breaking (external) instability, which splits the ring soliton into a set of fragments flying away in tangential directions, we report two new scenarios of the development of weak instabilities specific to the HV solitons. One features charge flipping, with the two components exchanging angular momentum and periodically reversing the sign of their spins. The composite soliton does not directly split in this case; therefore, we identify such instability as an intrinsic one. Eventually, the soliton splits, as weak radiation loss drives it across the border of the ordinary strong (external) instability. Another scenario proceeds through separation of the vortex cores in the two components, each individual core moving toward the outer edge of the annular soliton. After expulsion of the cores, there remains a zero-vorticity breather with persistent internal vibrations.

Stable vortex solitons supported by competing quadratic and cubic nonlinearities

We address the stability problem for vortex solitons in two-dimensional media combining quadratic and self-defocusing cubic [chi(2):chi(3)- ] nonlinearities. We consider the propagation of spatial beams with intrinsic vorticity S in such bulk optical media. It was earlier found that the S=1 and S=2 solitons can be stable, provided that their power (i.e., transverse size) is large enough, and it was conjectured that all the higher-order vortices with S> or =3 are always unstable. On the other hand, it was recently shown that vortex solitons with S>2 and very large transverse size may be stable in media combining cubic self-focusing and quintic self-defocusing nonlinearities. Here, we demonstrate that the same is true in the chi(2):chi(3)- model, the vortices with S=3 and S=4 being stable in regions occupying, respectively, approximately 3% and 1.5% of their existence domain. The vortex solitons with S>4 are also stable in tiny regions. The results are obtained through computation of stability eigenvalues, and are then checked in direct simulations, with a conclusion that the stable vortices are truly robust ones, easily self-trapping from initial beams with embedded vorticity. The dependence of the stability region on the chi(2) phase-mismatch parameter is specially investigated. We thus conclude that the stability of higher-order two-dimensional vortex solitons in narrow regions is a generic feature of optical media featuring the competition between self-focusing and self-defocusing nonlinearities. A qualitative analytical explanation to this feature is proposed.

Breakup of ring beams carrying orbital angular momentum in sodium vapor

We have observed filamentation due to azimuthal modulational instabilities in spinning ring solitons with orbital angular momentum m variant Planck's over 2pi in sodium vapor. We show experimentally that vortex beams with m values of 1, 2, and 3 tend to break into two, four, and six filaments, respectively. Treating the sodium vapor as a Doppler broadened two-level atomic system, we find that we can accurately model the propagation and breakup of these beams with numerical simulations.

Robust soliton clusters in media with competing cubic and quintic nonlinearities

Systematic results are reported for dynamics of circular patterns ("necklaces"), composed of fundamental solitons and carrying orbital angular momentum, in the two-dimensional model, which describes the propagation of light beams in bulk media combining self-focusing cubic and self-defocusing quintic nonlinearities. Semianalytical predictions for the existence of quasistable necklace structures are obtained on the basis of an effective interaction potential. Then, direct simulations are run. In the case when the initial pattern is far from an equilibrium size predicted by the potential, it cannot maintain its shape. However, a necklace with the initial shape close to the predicted equilibrium survives very long evolution, featuring persistent oscillations. The quasistable evolution is not essentially disturbed by a large noise component added to the initial configuration. Basic conclusions concerning the necklace dynamics in this model are qualitatively the same as in a recently studied one which combines quadratic and self-defocusing cubic nonlinearities. Thus, we infer that a combination of competing self-focusing and self-defocusing nonlinearities enhances the robustness not only of vortex solitons but also of vorticity-carrying necklace patterns.

Stable spatiotemporal spinning solitons in a bimodal cubic-quintic medium

We investigate the formation of stable spatiotemporal three-dimensional (3D) solitons ("light bullets") with internal vorticity ("spin") in a bimodal system described by coupled cubic-quintic nonlinear Schrödinger equations. Two relevant versions of the model, for the linear and circular polarizations, are considered. In the former case, an important ingredient of the model are four-wave-mixing terms, which give rise to a phase-sensitive nonlinear coupling between two polarization components. Thresholds for the formation of both spinning and nonspinning 3D solitons are found. Instability growth rates of perturbation eigenmodes with different azimuthal indices are calculated as functions of the solitons' propagation constant. As a result, stability domains in the model's parameter plane are identified for solitons with the values of the spins of their components s=0 and s=1, while all the solitons with s> or =2 are unstable. The solitons with s=1 are stable only if their energy exceeds a certain critical value, so that, in typical cases, the stability region occupies approximately 25% of their existence domain. Direct simulations of the full system produce results that are in perfect agreement with the linear-stability analysis: stable 3D spinning solitons readily self-trap from initial Gaussian pulses with embedded vorticity, and easily heal themselves if strong perturbations are imposed, while unstable spinning solitons quickly split into a set of separating zero-spin fragments whose number is exactly equal to the azimuthal index of the strongest unstable perturbation eigenmode.

Soliton "molecules": robust clusters of spatiotemporal optical solitons

We show how to generate robust self-sustained clusters of soliton bullets-spatiotemporal (optical or matter-wave) solitons. The clusters carry an orbital angular momentum being supported by competing nonlinearities. The "atoms" forming the "molecule" are fully three-dimensional solitons linked via a staircaselike macroscopic phase. Recent progress in generating atomic-molecular coherent mixing in the Bose-Einstein condensates might open potential scenarios for the experimental generation of these soliton molecules with matter waves.

Robust propagation of two-color soliton clusters supported by competing nonlinearities

We reveal numerically the remarkably robust propagation of quasistationary two-color soliton clusters in media with competing quadratic and cubic nonlinearities. We predict that such clusters carrying nonzero angular momentum can propagate over any practically feasible crystal length before they decay, even in the presence of input random perturbations.

Stabilization of the propagation of spatial solitons

We investigate a class of vector ring spatial solitons that carry no net angular momentum. Specifically, we show analytically and numerically that the dominant low-frequency perturbations that typically disrupt ring solitons are suppressed for these solitons. By comparing our analytical and numerical results, we show that our simple analysis gives good qualitative predictions on the regions of stability for these beams.

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.

Stable three-dimensional spinning optical solitons supported by competing quadratic and cubic nonlinearities

We show that the quadratic interaction of fundamental and second harmonics in a bulk dispersive medium, combined with self-defocusing cubic nonlinearity, gives rise to completely localized spatiotemporal solitons (vortex tori) with vorticity s=1. There is no threshold necessary for the existence of these solitons. They are found to be stable if their energy exceeds a certain critical value, so that the stability domain occupies about 10% of the existence region of the solitons. On the contrary to spatial vortex solitons in the same model, the spatiotemporal ones with s=2 are never stable. These results might open the way for experimental observation of spinning three-dimensional solitons in optical media.

Stable spinning optical solitons in three dimensions

We introduce spatiotemporal spinning solitons (vortex tori) of the three-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation with focusing cubic and defocusing quintic nonlinearities. The first ever found completely stable spatiotemporal vortex solitons are demonstrated. A general conclusion is that stable spinning solitons are possible as a result of competition between focusing and defocusing nonlinearities.

Rotating optical soliton clusters

We introduce the concept of soliton clusters--multisoliton bound states in a homogeneous bulk optical medium--and reveal a key physical mechanism for their stabilization associated with a staircaselike phase distribution that induces a net angular momentum and leads to cluster rotation. The ringlike soliton clusters provide a nontrivial generalization of the concepts of two-soliton spiraling, optical vortex solitons, and necklace-type optical beams.

Localized vortices with a semi-integer charge in nonlinear dynamical lattices

The topological charge S of vortexlike configurations in two-dimensional (2D) dynamical lattices need not necessarily be integer, nor is it a dynamical invariant. Accordingly, we demonstrate that the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equation in 2D has stationary solutions in the form of a vortex with S=1/2, which does not exist in the model's continuum counterpart. Analysis of the DNLS equation linearized about the vortex shows that it is stable except for, possibly, extremely weak instabilities (at the level of numerical precision). Direct simulations of the full DNLS model in 2D show that the S=1/2 vortex soliton is a stable oscillating solution. This behavior of classical dynamical lattices is in contrast with a recently reported result by Clay et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 4085 (2001)], according to which fractional charges in quantum lattices are subject to dynamical rearrangement into integer charges. We also consider S=1 discrete vortices that may be built as a pair of S=1/2 ones. These are different from the cross-shaped S=1 vortices that were recently found in the same 2D model. The S=1 vortices found in this work have larger energy and a slightly smaller stability range. We also find an analog of the S=1/2 vortices in the 1D DNLS model, which also turns out to be a stable oscillating soliton, different from the twisted localized modes recently found in the 1D model.