Stability of solitons in parity-time-symmetric couplers

Discrete and Semi-Discrete Multidimensional Solitons and Vortices: Established Results and Novel Findings

This article presents a concise survey of basic discrete and semi-discrete nonlinear models, which produce two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) solitons, and a summary of the main theoretical and experimental results obtained for such solitons. The models are based on the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (DNLS) equations and their generalizations, such as a system of discrete Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equations with the Lee-Huang-Yang corrections, the 2D Salerno model (SM), DNLS equations with long-range dipole-dipole and quadrupole-quadrupole interactions, a system of coupled discrete equations for the second-harmonic generation with the quadratic (χ(2)) nonlinearity, a 2D DNLS equation with a superlattice modulation opening mini-gaps, a discretized NLS equation with rotation, a DNLS coupler and its PT-symmetric version, a system of DNLS equations for the spin-orbit-coupled (SOC) binary Bose-Einstein condensate, and others. The article presents a review of the basic species of multidimensional discrete modes, including fundamental (zero-vorticity) and vortex solitons, their bound states, gap solitons populating mini-gaps, symmetric and asymmetric solitons in the conservative and PT-symmetric couplers, cuspons in the 2D SM, discrete SOC solitons of the semi-vortex and mixed-mode types, 3D discrete skyrmions, and some others.

Exact envelope solitons in topological Floquet insulators

The existence of new types of four-wave mixing Floquet solitons were recently realized numerically through a resonant phase matching in a photonic lattice of type-I Dirac cones; specifically, a honeycomb lattice of helical array waveguides imprinted on a weakly birefringent medium. We present a wide class of exact solutions in this system for the envelope solitons in dark-bright pairs and a "molecular" form of bright-dark combinations. Some of the solutions, red or blue detuned, are mode-locked in their momenta, while the others offer a spectrum of allowed momenta subject to constraints amongst the system and solution parameters. We show that the characteristically different solutions exist at and away from the band edge, with the exact band edge possessing a periodic pair of sinusoidal excitations akin to that of two-level systems apart from localized solitons. These could have possible applications for designing quantum devices.

PT-symmetry and supersymmetry: interconnection of broken and unbroken phases

The broken and unbroken phases of P T and supersymmetry in optical systems are explored for a complex refractive index profile in the form of a Scarf potential, under the framework of supersymmetric quantum mechanics. The transition from unbroken to the broken phases of P T -symmetry, with the merger of eigenfunctions near the exceptional point is found to arise from two distinct realizations of the potential, originating from the underlying supersymmetry. Interestingly, in P T -symmetric phase, spontaneous breaking of supersymmetry occurs in a parametric domain, possessing non-trivial shape invariances, under reparametrization to yield the corresponding energy spectra. One also observes a parametric bifurcation behaviour in this domain. Unlike the real Scraf potential, in P T -symmetric phase, a connection between complex isospecrtal superpotentials and modified Korteweg-de Vries equation occurs, only with certain restrictive parametric conditions. In the broken P T -symmetry phase, supersymmetry is found to be intact in the entire parameter domain yielding the complex energy spectra, with zero-width resonance occurring at integral values of a potential parameter.

Nonlinear scattering by non-Hermitian multilayers with saturation effects

We theoretically investigate the optical properties of a one-dimensional non-Hermitian dispersive layered system with saturable gain and loss. We solve the nonhomogeneous Helmholtz equation perturbatively by applying the modified transfer matrix method and we obtain closed-form expressions for the reflection or transmission coefficients for TM incident waves. The nonreciprocity of the scattering process can be directly inferred from the analysis of the obtained expressions. It is shown that by tuning the parameters of the layers we can effectively control the impact of nonlinearity on the scattering characteristics of the non-Hermitian layered structure. In particular, we investigate the asymmetric and nonreciprocal characteristics of the reflectance and transmittance of multilayered parity-time (PT)-symmetric slab. We demonstrate that incident electromagnetic wave may effectively tunnel through the PT-symmetric multilayered structures with zero reflection. The effect of nonlinearity to the scattering matrix eigenvalues is systematically examined.

Nonlocal M-component nonlinear Schrödinger equations: Bright solitons, energy-sharing collisions, and positons

The general set of nonlocal M-component nonlinear Schrödinger (nonlocal M-NLS) equations obeying the PT-symmetry and featuring focusing, defocusing, and mixed (focusing-defocusing) nonlinearities that has applications in nonlinear optics settings, is considered. First, the multisoliton solutions of this set of nonlocal M-NLS equations in the presence and in the absence of a background, particularly a periodic line wave background, are constructed. Then, we study the intriguing soliton collision dynamics as well as the interesting positon solutions on zero background and on a periodic line wave background. In particular, we reveal the fascinating shape-changing collision behavior similar to that of in the Manakov system but with fewer soliton parameters in the present setting. The standard elastic soliton collision also occurs for particular parameter choices. More interestingly, we show the possibility of such elastic soliton collisions even for defocusing nonlinearities. Furthermore, for the nonlocal M-NLS equations, the dependence of the collision characteristics on the speed of the solitons is analyzed. In the presence of a periodic line wave background, we notice that the soliton amplitude can be enhanced significantly, even for infinitesimal amplitude of the periodic line waves. In addition to these solutions, by considering the long-wavelength limit of the obtained soliton solutions with proper parameter constraints, higher-order positon solutions of the nonlocal M-NLS equations are derived. The background of periodic line waves also influences the wave profiles and amplitudes of the positons. Specifically, the positon amplitude can not only be enhanced but also be suppressed on the periodic line wave background of infinitesimal amplitude.

Reversible ultrafast soliton switching in dual-core highly nonlinear optical fibers

We experimentally investigate a nonlinear switching mechanism in a dual-core highly nonlinear optical fiber. We focus the input stream of femtosecond pulses on one core only, to identify transitions between inter-core oscillations, self-trapping in the cross core, and self-trapping of the pulse in the straight core. A model based on the system of coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations provides surprisingly good agreement with the experimental findings.

Parity-Time Symmetry in Non-Hermitian Complex Optical Media

The exploration of quantum-inspired symmetries in optical and photonic systems has witnessed immense research interest both fundamentally and technologically in a wide range of subject areas in physics and engineering. One of the principal emerging fields in this context is non-Hermitian physics based on parity-time symmetry, originally proposed in the studies pertaining to quantum mechanics and quantum field theory and recently ramified into a diverse set of areas, particularly in optics and photonics. The intriguing physical effects enabled by non-Hermitian physics and PT symmetry have enhanced significant application prospects and engineering of novel materials. In addition, there has been increasing research interest in many emerging directions beyond optics and photonics. Here, the state-of-the art developments in the field of complex non-Hermitian physics based on PT symmetry in various physical settings are brought together, and key concepts, a background, and a detailed perspective on new emerging directions are described. It can be anticipated that this trendy field of interest will be indispensable in providing new perspectives in maneuvering the flow of light in the diverse physical platforms in optics, photonics, condensed matter, optoelectronics, and beyond, and will offer distinctive application prospects in novel functional materials.

Tunable nonlinear spectra of anti-directional couplers

We produce transmission and reflection spectra of the anti-directional coupler (ADC) composed of linearly coupled positive- and negative-refractive-index arms, with intrinsic Kerr nonlinearity. Both reflection and transmission feature two highly amplified peaks at two distinct wavelengths in a certain range of values of the gain, making it possible to design a wavelength-selective mode-amplification system. We also predict that a blend of gain and loss in suitable proportions can robustly enhance reflection spectra that are detrimentally affected by the attenuation, in addition to causing red and blue shifts owing to the Kerr effect. In particular, ADC with equal gain and loss coefficients is considered in necessary detail.

Multipole gap solitons in fractional Schrödinger equation with parity-time-symmetric optical lattices

We investigate the existence and stability of in-phase three-pole and four-pole gap solitons in the fractional Schrödinger equation supported by one-dimensional parity-time-symmetric periodic potentials (optical lattices) with defocusing Kerr nonlinearity. These solitons exist in the first finite gap and are stable in the moderate power region. When the Lévy index decreases, the stable regions of these in-phase multipole gap solitons shrink. Below a Lévy index threshold, the effective multipole soliton widths decrease as the Lévy index increases. Above the threshold, these solitons become less localized as the Lévy index increases. The Lévy index cannot change the phase transition point of the PT-symmetric optical lattices. We also study transverse power flow in these multipole gap solitons.

Nonlinear anti-directional couplers with gain and loss

Following the concept of PT-symmetric couplers, we propose a linearly coupled system of nonlinear waveguides, made of positive- and negative-index materials, which carry, respectively, gain and loss. We report novel bi- and multistability states pertaining to transmitted and reflective intensities, which are controlled by the ratio of the gain and loss coefficients, and phase mismatch between the waveguides. These states offer transmission regimes with extremely low threshold intensities for transitions between coexisting states, and very large amplification ratios between the input and output intensities leading to an efficient way of controlling light with light.

New topological invariants in non-Hermitian systems

Both theoretical and experimental studies of topological phases in non-Hermitian systems have made a remarkable progress in the last few years of research. In this article, we review the key concepts pertaining to topological phases in non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with relevant examples and realistic model setups. Discussions are devoted to both the adaptations of topological invariants from Hermitian to non-Hermitian systems, as well as origins of new topological invariants in the latter setup. Unique properties such as exceptional points and complex energy landscapes lead to new topological invariants including winding number/vorticity defined solely in the complex energy plane, and half-integer winding/Chern numbers. New forms of Kramers degeneracy appear here rendering distinct topological invariants. Modifications of adiabatic theory, time-evolution operator, biorthogonal bulk-boundary correspondence lead to unique features such as topological displacement of particles, 'skin-effect', and edge-selective attenuated and amplified topological polarizations without chiral symmetry. Extension and realization of topological ideas in photonic systems are mentioned. We conclude with discussions on relevant future directions, and highlight potential applications of some of these unique topological features of the non-Hermitian Hamiltonians.

Attraction centers and parity-time-symmetric delta-functional dipoles in critical and supercritical self-focusing media

We introduce a model based on the one-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation with critical (quintic) or supercritical self-focusing nonlinearity. We demonstrate that a family of solitons, which are unstable in this setting against the critical or supercritical collapse, is stabilized by pinning to an attractive defect, that may also include a parity-time (PT)-symmetric gain-loss component. The model can be realized as a planar waveguide in nonlinear optics, and in a super-Tonks-Girardeau bosonic gas. For the attractive defect with the delta-functional profile, a full family of the pinned solitons is found in an exact analytical form. In the absence of the gain-loss term, the solitons' stability is investigated in an analytical form too, by means of the Vakhitov-Kolokolov criterion; in the presence of the PT-balanced gain and loss, the stability is explored by means of numerical methods. In particular, the entire family of pinned solitons is stable in the quintic (critical) medium if the gain-loss term is absent. A stability region for the pinned solitons persists in the model with an arbitrarily high power of the self-focusing nonlinearity. A weak gain-loss component gives rise to intricate alternations of stability and instability in the system's parameter plane. Those solitons which are unstable under the action of the supercritical self-attraction are destroyed by the collapse. On the other hand, if the self-attraction-driven instability is weak and the gain-loss term is present, unstable solitons spontaneously transform into localized breathers, while the collapse does not occur. The same outcome may be caused by a combination of the critical nonlinearity with the gain and loss. Instability of the solitons is also possible when the PT-symmetric gain-loss term is added to the subcritical nonlinearity. The system with self-repulsive nonlinearity is briefly considered too, producing completely stable families of pinned localized states.

Robust [Formula: see text] symmetry of two-dimensional fundamental and vortex solitons supported by spatially modulated nonlinearity

The real spectrum of bound states produced by [Formula: see text]-symmetric Hamiltonians usually suffers breakup at a critical value of the strength of gain-loss terms, i.e., imaginary part of the complex potential. The breakup essentially impedes the use of [Formula: see text]-symmetric systems for various applications. On the other hand, it is known that the [Formula: see text] symmetry can be made unbreakable in a one-dimensional (1D) model with self-defocusing nonlinearity whose strength grows fast enough from the center to periphery. The model is nonlinearizable, i.e., it does not have a linear spectrum, while the (unbreakable) [Formula: see text] symmetry in it is defined by spectra of continuous families of nonlinear self-trapped states (solitons). Here we report results for a 2D nonlinearizable model whose [Formula: see text] symmetry remains unbroken for arbitrarily large values of the gain-loss coefficient. Further, we introduce an extended 2D model with the imaginary part of potential ~xy in the Cartesian coordinates. The latter model is not a [Formula: see text]-symmetric one, but it also supports continuous families of self-trapped states, thus suggesting an extension of the concept of the [Formula: see text] symmetry. For both models, universal analytical forms are found for nonlinearizable tails of the 2D modes, and full exact solutions are produced for particular solitons, including ones with the unbreakable [Formula: see text] symmetry, while generic soliton families are found in a numerical form. The [Formula: see text]-symmetric system gives rise to generic families of stable single- and double-peak 2D solitons (including higher-order radial states of the single-peak solitons), as well as families of stable vortex solitons with m = 1, 2, and 3. In the model with imaginary potential ~xy, families of single- and multi-peak solitons and vortices are stable if the imaginary potential is subject to spatial confinement. In an elliptically deformed version of the latter model, an exact solution is found for vortex solitons with m = 1.

Edge and bulk dissipative solitons in modulated PT-symmetric waveguide arrays

We address dissipative soliton formation in modulated parity-time (PT)-symmetric continuous waveguide arrays composed from waveguides with amplifying and absorbing sections, whose density gradually increases (due to decreasing waveguide separation) either towards the center of the array or towards its edges. In such a structure, the level of gain/loss at which PT-symmetry gets broken depends on the direction of increase of waveguide density. Breakup of PT-symmetry occurs when eigenvalues of modes localized in the region where waveguide density is largest collide and move into a complex plane. In this regime of broken symmetry, the inclusion of focusing Kerr-type nonlinearity of the material and weak two-photon absorption allows to arrest the growth of amplitude of amplified modes and may lead to the appearance of stable attractors either in the center or at the edge of the waveguide array, depending on the type of array modulation. Such solitons can be stable; they acquire specific triangular shapes and notably broaden with increase of gain/loss level. Our results illustrate how spatial array modulation that breaks PT-symmetry "locally" can be used to control the specific location of dissipative solitons forming in the array.

Tailoring PT-symmetric soliton switch

We theoretically demonstrate soliton steering in parity-time (PT)-symmetric coupled nonlinear dimers. We show that if the length of the PT-symmetric system is set to 2π, contrary to the conventional one that operates satisfactorily well only at the half-beat coupling length, the PT dimer remarkably yields an ideal soliton switch exhibiting almost 99.99% energy efficiency with an ultralow critical power.

Vector solitons in nonparity-time-symmetric complex potentials

The existence and stability of vector solitons in non-parity-time (PT)-symmetric complex potentials are investigated. We study the vector soliton family, in which the propagation constants of the two components are different. It is found that vector solitons can be stable below and above the phase transition of the non-PT-symmetric complex potentials. Below the phase transition, vector solitons are stable in the low power region. Above the phase transition, there are two continuous stable intervals in the existence region. The profiles of two components of these vector solitons show the asymmetry and we also study the transverse power flow in the two components of these vector solitons in the non-PT-symmetric complex potentials.

Optical solitons in media with focusing and defocusing saturable nonlinearity and a parity-time-symmetric external potential

We report results for solitons in models of waveguides with focusing or defocusing saturable nonlinearity and a parity-time ([Formula: see text])-symmetric complex-valued external potential of the Scarf-II type. The model applies to the nonlinear wave propagation in graded-index optical waveguides with balanced gain and loss. We find both fundamental and multipole solitons for both focusing and defocusing signs of the saturable nonlinearity in such [Formula: see text]-symmetric waveguides. The dependence of the propagation constant on the soliton's power is presented for different strengths of the nonlinearity saturation, S The stability of fundamental, dipole, tripole and quadrupole solitons is investigated by means of the linear-stability analysis and direct numerical simulations of the corresponding (1+1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger-type equation. The results show that the instability of the stationary solutions can be mitigated or completely suppressed, increasing the value of SThis article is part of the theme issue 'Dissipative structures in matter out of equilibrium: from chemistry, photonics and biology (part 1)'.

𝒫𝒯-symmetric and antisymmetric nonlinear states in a split potential box

We introduce a one-dimensional [Formula: see text]-symmetric system, which includes the cubic self-focusing, a double-well potential in the form of an infinitely deep potential box split in the middle by a delta-functional barrier of an effective height ε, and constant linear gain and loss, γ, in each half-box. The system may be readily realized in microwave photonics. Using numerical methods, we construct [Formula: see text]-symmetric and antisymmetric modes, which represent, respectively, the system's ground state and first excited state, and identify their stability. Their instability mainly leads to blowup, except for the case of ε=0, when an unstable symmetric mode transforms into a weakly oscillating breather, and an unstable antisymmetric mode relaxes into a stable symmetric one. At ε>0, the stability area is much larger for the [Formula: see text]-antisymmetric state than for its symmetric counterpart. The stability areas shrink with increase of the total power, P In the linear limit, which corresponds to [Formula: see text], the stability boundary is found in an analytical form. The stability area of the antisymmetric state originally expands with the growth of γ, and then disappears at a critical value of γThis article is part of the theme issue 'Dissipative structures in matter out of equilibrium: from chemistry, photonics and biology (part 1)'.

Cavity solitons in a microring dimer with gain and loss

We address a pair of vertically coupled microring resonators with gain and loss pumped by a single-frequency field. Coupling between microrings results in a twofold splitting of the single microring resonance that increases when gain and losses decrease, giving rise to two cavity soliton (CS) families. We show that the existence regions of CSs are tunable and that both CS families can be stable in the presence of an imbalance between gain and losses in the two microrings. These findings enable experimental realization of frequency combs in configurations with active microrings and contribute toward the realization of compact multisoliton comb sources.

Bright-dark and dark-dark solitons in coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equation with PT-symmetric potentials

We explore different nonlinear coherent structures, namely, bright-dark (BD) and dark-dark (DD) solitons in a coupled nonlinear Schrödinger/Gross-Pitaevskii equation with defocusing/repulsive nonlinearity coefficients featuring parity-time ( PT)-symmetric potentials. Especially, for two choices of PT-symmetric potentials, we obtain the exact solutions for BD and DD solitons. We perform the linear stability analysis of the obtained coherent structures. The results of this linear stability analysis are well corroborated by direct numerical simulation incorporating small random noise. It has been found that there exists a parameter regime which can support stable BD and DD solitons.

Solitons in a PT-symmetric χ(2) coupler

We consider the existence and stability of solitons in a χ⁽²⁾ coupler. Both the fundamental and second harmonics (SHs) undergo gain in one of the coupler cores and are absorbed in the other one. The gain and loss are balanced, creating a parity-time (PT) symmetric configuration. We present two types of families of PT-symmetric solitons having equal and different profiles of the fundamental and SHs. It is shown that the gain and loss can stabilize solitons. The interaction of stable solitons is shown. In the cascading limit, the model is reduced to the PT-symmetric coupler with effective Kerr-type nonlinearity and the balanced nonlinear gain and loss.

Asymmetric effects in waveguide systems using PT symmetry and zero index metamaterials

Here we demonstrate directional excitation and asymmetric reflection by using parity-time (PT) symmetric and zero index metamaterials (ZIMs) in a three-port waveguide system. The principle lies on that the field distribution at gain/ loss interface is significantly affected by the incident direction of electromagnetic wave. By taking advantage of the empty volume feature of ZIMs, these asymmetric effects are extended to a more general three-port waveguide system. In addition, by exciting a weak modulated signal in branch port in our proposed design, unidirectional transmission with an unbroken propagation state is achieved, opening up a new way distinguished from the present technologies.

PT symmetry in nonlinear twisted multicore fibers

We address propagation of light in nonlinear twisted multicore fibers with alternating amplifying and absorbing cores that are arranged into the parity-time (PT)-symmetric structure. In this structure, the coupling strength between neighboring cores and global energy transport can be controlled not only by the nonlinearity, but also by gain and losses and by the fiber twisting rate. The threshold level of gain/losses, at which PT-symmetry breaking occurs, is a non-monotonic function of the fiber twisting rate, and it can be reduced nearly to zero or, instead, notably increased just by changing this rate. Nonlinearity usually leads to the monotonic reduction of the symmetry-breaking threshold in such fibers.

The nonlinear Schrödinger equation with generalized nonlinearities and PT-symmetric potentials: Stable solitons, interactions, and excitations

We investigate the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with generalized nonlinearities and complex non-Hermitian potentials and present the novel parity-time-( PT-) symmetric potentials for the NLS equation with power-law nonlinearities supporting some bright solitons. For distinct types of PT-symmetric potentials including Scarf-II, Hermite-Gaussian, and asymptotically periodic potentials, we, respectively, explore the phase transitions for the linear Hamiltonian operators. Moreover, we analytically find stable bright solitons in the generalized NLS equations with several types of PT-symmetric potentials, and their stability is corroborated by the linear stability spectrum and direct wave-propagation simulations. Interactions of two solitons are also explored. More interestingly, we find that the nonlinearity can excite the unstable linear modes (i.e., possessing broken linear PT-symmetric phase) to stable nonlinear modes. The results may excite potential applications in nonlinear optics, Bose-Einstein condensates, and relevant fields.

Families of stable solitons and excitations in the PT-symmetric nonlinear Schrödinger equations with position-dependent effective masses

Since the parity-time-([Formula: see text]-) symmetric quantum mechanics was put forward, fundamental properties of some linear and nonlinear models with [Formula: see text]-symmetric potentials have been investigated. However, previous studies of [Formula: see text]-symmetric waves were limited to constant diffraction coefficients in the ambient medium. Here we address effects of variable diffraction coefficient on the beam dynamics in nonlinear media with generalized [Formula: see text]-symmetric Scarf-II potentials. The broken linear [Formula: see text] symmetry phase may enjoy a restoration with the growing diffraction parameter. Continuous families of one- and two-dimensional solitons are found to be stable. Particularly, some stable solitons are analytically found. The existence range and propagation dynamics of the solitons are identified. Transformation of the solitons by means of adiabatically varying parameters, and collisions between solitons are studied too. We also explore the evolution of constant-intensity waves in a model combining the variable diffraction coefficient and complex potentials with globally balanced gain and loss, which are more general than [Formula: see text]-symmetric ones, but feature similar properties. Our results may suggest new experiments for [Formula: see text]-symmetric nonlinear waves in nonlinear nonuniform optical media.

Cross-symmetric dipolar-matter-wave solitons in double-well chains

We consider a dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in an array of two-well systems with an arbitrary orientation of the dipoles relative to the system's axis. The system can be built as a chain of local traps sliced into two parallel lattices by a repelling laser sheet. It is modeled by a pair of coupled discrete Gross-Pitaevskii equations, with dipole-dipole self-interactions and cross interactions. When the dipoles are not polarized perpendicular or parallel to the lattice, the cross interaction is asymmetric, replacing the familiar symmetric two-component discrete solitons by two new species of cross-symmetric ones, viz., on-site- and off-site-centered solitons, which are strongly affected by the orientation of the dipoles and separation between the parallel lattices. A very narrow region of intermediate asymmetric discrete solitons is found at the boundary between the on- and off-site families. Two different types of solitons in the PT-symmetric version of the system are constructed too, and stability areas are identified for them.

CPT-symmetric coupler with intermodal dispersion

A dual-core waveguide with balanced gain and loss in different arms and with intermodal coupling is considered. The system is not invariant under the conventional PT symmetry, but obeys CPT symmetry where an additional spatial inversion C corresponds to swapping the coupler arms. We show that second-order dispersion of coupling allows for unbroken CPT symmetry and supports propagation of stable vector solitons along the coupler. Small-amplitude solitons are found in explicit form. The combined effect of gain-and-loss and dispersive coupling results in several interesting features which include a separation between the components in different arms, nontrivial dependence of stability of a soliton on its velocity, and the existence of more complex stationary two-hump solutions. Unusual decay dynamics of unstable solitons are also discussed.

Stable vortex solitons in a ring-shaped partially-PT-symmetric potential

We address the existence and stability of vortex solitons in a ring-shaped partially-parity-time (pPT) configuration. In sharp contrast to the reported nonlinear modes in PT- or pPT-symmetric systems, stable vortex solitons with different topological charges can be supported by the proposed pPT potential, despite the system always being beyond the symmetry-breaking point. Vortex solitons are characterized by the number of phase singularities which equals the corresponding topological charge. At higher power, unstable higher-charged vortices degenerate into stable vortices with lower charges. Robust nonlinear vortices can be easily excited by an input Gaussian beam. Our results provide, to the best of our knowledge, the first example of stable solitons in a symmetry-breaking system.

PT-symmetric couplers with competing cubic-quintic nonlinearities

We introduce a one-dimensional model of the parity-time ( PT)-symmetric coupler, with mutually balanced linear gain and loss acting in the two cores, and nonlinearity represented by the combination of self-focusing cubic and defocusing quintic terms in each core. The system may be realized in optical waveguides, in the spatial and temporal domains alike. Stationary solutions for PT-symmetric solitons in the systems are tantamount to their counterparts in the ordinary coupler with the cubic-quintic nonlinearity, where the spontaneous symmetry breaking of solitons is accounted for by bifurcation loops. A novel problem is stability of the PT-symmetric solitons, which is affected by the competition of the PT symmetry, linear coupling, cubic self-focusing, and quintic defocusing. As a result, the solitons become unstable against symmetry breaking with the increase of the energy (alias integral power, in terms of the spatial-domain realization), and they retrieve the stability at still larger energies. Above a certain value of the strength of the quintic self-defocusing, the PT symmetry of the solitons becomes unbreakable. In the same system, PT-antisymmetric solitons are entirely unstable. We identify basic scenarios of the evolution of unstable solitons, which may lead to generation of additional ones, while stronger instability creates expanding quasi-turbulent patterns with limited amplitudes. Collisions between stable solitons are demonstrated to be quasi-elastic.

The Asymmetric Active Coupler: Stable Nonlinear Supermodes and Directed Transport

We consider the asymmetric active coupler (AAC) consisting of two coupled dissimilar waveguides with gain and loss. We show that under generic conditions, not restricted by parity-time symmetry, there exist finite-power, constant-intensity nonlinear supermodes (NS), resulting from the balance between gain, loss, nonlinearity, coupling and dissimilarity. The system is shown to possess non-reciprocal dynamics enabling directed power transport functionality.

Parity-time-symmetry enhanced optomechanically-induced-transparency

We propose and analyze a scheme to enhance optomechanically-induced-transparency (OMIT) based on parity-time-symmetric optomechanical system. Our results predict that an OMIT window which does not exist originally can appear in weak optomechanical coupling and driving system via coupling an auxiliary active cavity with optical gain. This phenomenon is quite different from these reported in previous works in which the gain is considered just to damage OMIT phenomenon even leads to electromagnetically induced absorption or inverted-OMIT. Such enhanced OMIT effects are ascribed to the additional gain which can increase photon number in cavity without reducing effective decay. We also discuss the scheme feasibility by analyzing recent experiment parameters. Our work provide a promising platform for the coherent manipulation and slow light operation, which has potential applications for quantum information processing and quantum optical device.

Parametric instability of optical non-Hermitian systems near the exceptional point

In contrast to Hermitian systems, the modes of non-Hermitian systems are generally nonorthogonal. As a result, the power of the system signal depends not only on the mode amplitudes but also on the phase shift between them. In this work, we show that it is possible to increase the mode amplitudes without increasing the power of the signal. Moreover, we demonstrate that when the system is at the exceptional point, any infinitesimally small change in the system parameters increases the mode amplitudes. As a result, the system becomes unstable with respect to such perturbation. We show such instability by using the example of two coupled waveguides in which loss prevails over gain and all modes are decaying. This phenomenon enables compensation for losses in dissipative systems and opens a wide range of applications in optics, plasmonics, and optoelectronics, in which loss is an inevitable problem and plays a crucial role.

Nonlinear light behaviors near phase transition in non-parity-time-symmetric complex waveguides

Many classes of non-parity-time (PT)-symmetric waveguides with arbitrary gain and loss distributions still possess all-real linear spectrum or exhibit phase transition. In this Letter, nonlinear light behaviors in these complex waveguides are probed analytically near a phase transition. Using multi-scale perturbation methods, a nonlinear ordinary differential equation (ODE) is derived for the light's amplitude evolution. This ODE predicts that a single class of these non-PT-symmetric waveguides supports soliton families and amplitude-oscillating solutions both above and below linear phase transition, in close analogy with PT-symmetric systems. For the other classes of waveguides, the light's intensity always amplifies under the effect of nonlinearity, even if the waveguide is below the linear phase transition. These analytical predictions are confirmed by direct computations of the full system.

Dynamics of Localized Structures in Systems with Broken Parity Symmetry

A great variety of nonlinear dissipative systems are known to host structures having a correlation range much shorter than the size of the system. The dynamics of these localized structures (LSs) has been investigated so far in situations featuring parity symmetry. In this Letter we extend this analysis to systems lacking this property. We show that the LS drifting speed in a parameter varying landscape is not simply proportional to the parameter gradient, as found in parity preserving situations. The symmetry breaking implies a new contribution to the velocity field which is a function of the parameter value, thus leading to a new paradigm for LSs manipulation. We illustrate this general concept by studying the trajectories of the LSs found in a passively mode-locked laser operated in the localization regime. Moreover, the lack of parity affects significantly LSs interactions which are governed by asymmetrical repulsive forces.

Phase transition in multimode nonlinear parity-time-symmetric waveguide couplers

Parity-time-symmetric (-symmetric) optical waveguide couplers offer new possibilities for fast, ultracompact, configurable, all-optical signal processing. Here, we study nonlinear properties of finite-size multimode -symmetric couplers and predict the nonlinear oscillatory dynamics that can be controlled by three parameters: input light intensity, gain and loss amplitude, and input beam profile. Moreover, we show that this dynamics is driven by a transition triggered by nonlinearity in these structures, and we demonstrate that with the increase of the number of dimers in the system, the transition threshold decreases and converges to the value corresponding to an infinite array. Finally, we present a variety of periodic intensity patterns that can be formed in these couplers depending on the initial excitation.

Two-dimensional solitons in conservative and parity-time-symmetric triple-core waveguides with cubic-quintic nonlinearity

We analyze a system of three two-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equations coupled by linear terms and with the cubic-quintic (focusing-defocusing) nonlinearity. We consider two versions of the model: conservative and parity-time (PT) symmetric. These models describe triple-core nonlinear optical waveguides, with balanced gain and losses in the PT-symmetric case. We obtain families of soliton solutions and discuss their stability. The latter study is performed using a linear stability analysis and checked with direct numerical simulations of the evolutional system of equations. Stable solitons are found in the conservative and PT-symmetric cases. Interactions and collisions between the conservative and PT-symmetric solitons are briefly investigated, as well.

Nonlinear parity-time-symmetric transition in finite-size optical couplers

Parity-time-symmetric (PT-symmetric) optical waveguide couplers offer a great potential for future applications in integrated optics, such as ultracompact reconfigurable all-optical signal processing. Here, we predict a nonlinearly triggered transition from a full to a broken PT-symmetric regime in finite-size systems described by smooth permittivity profiles and, in particular, in a conventional discrete waveguide directional coupler configuration with a rectangular profile. For these systems, we show that this phase transition occurs in PT-symmetric couplers, regardless of the details of their geometry, therefore suggesting a practical route for experimental realization of such systems.

Four-wave mixing in a parity-time (PT)-symmetric coupler

Parity-time (PT) symmetry allows for implementing controllable matching conditions for the four-wave mixing in 1D coupled waveguides. Different types of the process involving energy transition between slow and fast modes are established. In the case of defocusing Kerr media, the degenerated four-wave mixing is studied in detail. It is shown that unbroken PT symmetry supports the process existing in the conservative limit and, at the same time, originates new types of matching conditions, which cannot exist in the conservative system. In the former case, a slow beam splits into two fast beams, with nearly conserved total power, while in the latter case, one slow beam and one fast beam are generated. In the last process, the energy of the input primary slow beam is not changed and growth of the energy of the generated slow beam varies due to gain and loss of the medium. The appreciable generation of the fifth mode, i.e., the effect of the secondary resonant interactions, is observed.

Topological States in Partially-PT-Symmetric Azimuthal Potentials

We introduce partially-parity-time (pPT)-symmetric azimuthal potentials composed from individual PT-symmetric cells located on a ring, where two azimuthal directions are nonequivalent in a sense that in such potential excitations carrying topological dislocations exhibit different dynamics for different directions of energy circulation in the initial field distribution. Such nonconservative ratchetlike structures support rich families of stable vortex solitons in cubic nonlinear media, whose properties depend on the sign of the topological charge due to the nonequivalence of azimuthal directions. In contrast, oppositely charged vortex solitons remain equivalent in similar fully-PT-symmetric potentials. The vortex solitons in the pPT- and PT-symmetric potentials are shown to feature qualitatively different internal current distributions, which are described by different discrete rotation symmetries of the intensity profiles.

Observation of optical solitons in PT-symmetric lattices

Controlling light transport in nonlinear active environments is a topic of considerable interest in the field of optics. In such complex arrangements, of particular importance is to devise strategies to subdue chaotic behaviour even in the presence of gain/loss and nonlinearity, which often assume adversarial roles. Quite recently, notions of parity-time (PT) symmetry have been suggested in photonic settings as a means to enforce stable energy flow in platforms that simultaneously employ both amplification and attenuation. Here we report the experimental observation of optical solitons in PT-symmetric lattices. Unlike other non-conservative nonlinear arrangements where self-trapped states appear as fixed points in the parameter space of the governing equations, discrete PT solitons form a continuous parametric family of solutions. The possibility of synthesizing PT-symmetric saturable absorbers, where a nonlinear wave finds a lossless path through an otherwise absorptive system is also demonstrated.

Parity–time symmetry can impose a stable energy flow in photonic systems with simultaneous amplification and attenuation. Here, Wimmer et al. demonstrate optical solitons belonging to a continuous parametric family of solutions in a parity–time-symmetric lattice and observe saturable absorber action.

Soliton dynamics in a PT-symmetric optical lattice with a longitudinal potential barrier

We present dynamics of spatial solitons propagating through a PT symmetric optical lattice with a longitudinal potential barrier. We find that a spatial soliton evolves a transverse drift motion after transmitting through the lattice barrier. The gain/loss coefficient of the PT symmetric potential barrier plays an essential role on such soliton dynamics. The bending angle of solitons depends on the lattice parameters including the modulation frequency, incident position, potential depth and the barrier length. Besides, solitons tend to gain a certain amount of energy from the barrier, which can also be tuned by barrier parameters.

Staggered parity-time-symmetric ladders with cubic nonlinearity

We introduce a ladder-shaped chain with each rung carrying a parity-time- (PT-) symmetric gain-loss dimer. The polarity of the dimers is staggered along the chain, meaning alternation of gain-loss and loss-gain rungs. This structure, which can be implemented as an optical waveguide array, is the simplest one which renders the system PT-symmetric in both horizontal and vertical directions. The system is governed by a pair of linearly coupled discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equations with self-focusing or defocusing cubic onsite nonlinearity. Starting from the analytically tractable anticontinuum limit of uncoupled rungs and using the Newton's method for continuation of the solutions with the increase of the inter-rung coupling, we construct families of PT-symmetric discrete solitons and identify their stability regions. Waveforms stemming from a single excited rung and double ones are identified. Dynamics of unstable solitons is investigated too.

Stability of optical solitons in parity-time-symmetric optical lattices with competing cubic and quintic nonlinearities

The existence and stability of optical solitons in the semi-infinite gap of parity-time (PT)-symmetric optical lattices with competing cubic and quintic nonlinearities are investigated numerically. The fundamental and dipole solitons can exist only with focusing quintic nonlinearity; however, they are always linearly unstable. With the competing effect between cubic and quintic nonlinearities, the strength of the quintic nonlinearity should be larger than a threshold for the solitons' existence when the strength of the focusing cubic nonlinearity is fixed. The stability of both fundamental and dipole solitons is studied in detail. When the strength of the focusing quintic nonlinearity is fixed, solitons can exist at the whole interval of the strength of the cubic nonlinearity, but only a small part of the fundamental solitons are stable. We also study numerically nonlinear evolution of stable and unstable PT solitons under perturbation.

Symmetry breaking of solitons in two-dimensional complex potentials

Symmetry breaking is reported for continuous families of solitons in the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a two-dimensional complex potential. This symmetry breaking is forbidden in generic complex potentials. However, for a special class of partially parity-time-symmetric potentials, it is allowed. At the bifurcation point, two branches of asymmetric solitons bifurcate out from the base branch of symmetry-unbroken solitons. Stability of these solitons near the bifurcation point are also studied, and two novel properties for the bifurcated asymmetric solitons are revealed. One is that at the bifurcation point, zero and simple imaginary linear-stability eigenvalues of asymmetric solitons can move directly into the complex plane and create oscillatory instability. The other is that the two bifurcated asymmetric solitons, even though having identical powers and being related to each other by spatial mirror reflection, can possess different types of unstable eigenvalues and thus exhibit nonreciprocal nonlinear evolutions under random-noise perturbations.

Interactions of bright and dark solitons with localized PT-symmetric potentials

We study collisions of moving nonlinear-Schrödinger solitons with a PT-symmetric dipole embedded into the one-dimensional self-focusing or defocusing medium. Accurate analytical results are produced for bright solitons, and, in a more qualitative form, for dark ones. In the former case, an essential aspect of the approximation is that it must take into regard the intrinsic chirp of the soliton, thus going beyond the framework of the simplest quasi-particle description of the soliton's dynamics. Critical velocities separating reflection and transmission of the incident bright solitons are found by means of numerical simulations, and in the approximate semi-analytical form. An exact solution for the dark soliton pinned by the complex PT-symmetric dipole is produced too.

Discrete solitons and vortices on two-dimensional lattices of PT-symmetric couplers

We introduce a 2D network built of PT-symmetric dimers with on-site cubic nonlinearity, the gain and loss elements of the dimers being linked by parallel square-shaped lattices. The system may be realized as a set of PT-symmetric dual-core waveguides embedded into a photonic crystal. The system supports PT-symmetric and antisymmetric fundamental solitons (FSs) and on-site-centered solitary vortices (OnVs). Stability of these discrete solitons is the central topic of the consideration. Their stability regions in the underlying parameter space are identified through the computation of stability eigenvalues, and verified by direct simulations. Symmetric FSs represent the system's ground state, being stable at lowest values of the power, while anti-symmetric FSs and OnVs are stable at higher powers. Symmetric OnVs, which are also stable at lower powers, are remarkably robust modes: on the contrary to other PT-symmetric states, unstable OnVs do not blow up, but spontaneously rebuild themselves into stable FSs.

Gap solitons in PT-symmetric optical lattices with higher-order diffraction

The existence and stability of gap solitons are investigated in the semi-infinite gap of a parity-time (PT)-symmetric periodic potential (optical lattice) with a higher-order diffraction. The Bloch bands and band gaps of this PT-symmetric optical lattice depend crucially on the coupling constant of the fourth-order diffraction, whereas the phase transition point of this PT optical lattice remains unchangeable. The fourth-order diffraction plays a significant role in destabilizing the propagation of dipole solitons. Specifically, when the fourth-order diffraction coupling constant increases, the stable region of the dipole solitons shrinks as new regions of instability appear. However, fundamental solitons are found to be always linearly stable with arbitrary positive value of the coupling constant. We also investigate nonlinear evolution of the PT solitons under perturbation.

Pinned modes in two-dimensional lossy lattices with local gain and nonlinearity

We introduce a system with one or two amplified nonlinear sites ('hot spots', HSs) embedded into a two-dimensional linear lossy lattice. The system describes an array of evanescently coupled optical or plasmonic waveguides, with gain applied to selected HS cores. The subject of the analysis is discrete solitons pinned to the HSs. The shape of the localized modes is found in quasi-analytical and numerical forms, using a truncated lattice for the analytical consideration. Stability eigenvalues are computed numerically, and the results are supplemented by direct numerical simulations. In the case of self-focusing nonlinearity, the modes pinned to a single HS are stable and unstable when the nonlinearity includes the cubic loss and gain, respectively. If the nonlinearity is self-defocusing, the unsaturated cubic gain acting at the HS supports stable modes in a small parametric area, whereas weak cubic loss gives rise to a bistability of the discrete solitons. Symmetric and antisymmetric modes pinned to a symmetric set of two HSs are also considered.