Title

Observation Of Two-Dimensional Discrete Solitons In Optically Induced Nonlinear Photonic Lattices

Abstract

Nonlinear periodic lattices occur in a large variety of systems, such as biological molecules1, nonlinear optical waveguides2, solid-state systems3 and Bose-Einstein condensates4. The underlying dynamics in these systems is dominated by the interplay between tunnelling between adjacent potential wells and nonlinearity1-15. A balance between these two effects can result in a self-localized state: a lattice or 'discrete' soliton1,2. Direct observation of lattice solitons has so far been limited to onedimensional systems, namely in arrays of nonlinear optical waveguides2,9-17. However, many fundamental features are expected to occur in higher dimensions, such as vortex lattice solitons18, bright lattice solitons that carry angular momentum, and three-dimensional collisions between lattice solitons. Here, we report the experimental observation of two-dimensional (2D) lattice solitons. We use optical induction, the interference of two or more plane waves in a photosensitive material, to create a 2D photonic lattice in which the solitons form11,12. Our results pave the way for the realization of a variety of nonlinear localization phenomena in photonic lattices and crystals19-23. Finally, our observation directly relates to the proposed lattice solitons in Bose-Einstein condensates4, which can be observed in optically induced periodic potentials24,25.

Publication Date

3-13-2003

Publication Title

Nature

Volume

422

Issue

6928

Number of Pages

147-150

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01452

Socpus ID

0037434990 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/0037434990

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