Light bullets in optical tandems

TL;DR

This paper explores the formation of three-dimensional light bullets in layered structures combining different nonlinear and dispersive materials, including metamaterials, demonstrating their feasibility across various parameters.

Contribution

It introduces a novel layered geometry with alternating nonlinear and dispersive media for light bullet formation, expanding understanding of their conditions and potential applications.

Findings

Light bullets form in layered structures with specific material properties.

Formation occurs over a wide range of parameters.

Metamaterials can be effectively used to generate light bullets.

Abstract

We address the concept of three-dimensional light bullet formation in structures where nonlinearity and dispersion are contributed by different materials, including metamaterials, which are used at their best to create suitable conditions where bullets can form. The particular geometry considered here consists of alternating rings made of highly dispersive but weakly nonlinear media and strongly nonlinear but weakly dispersive media. We show that light bullets form for a wide range of parameters.