Splitting broad beams into arrays of dissipative spatial solitons by material and virtual gratings

TL;DR

This paper introduces two generic methods for generating two-dimensional spatial soliton arrays in nonlinear media, using either material gratings or virtual phase lattices, enabling the creation of various stable soliton configurations.

Contribution

It presents novel approaches for producing 2D soliton arrays via material and virtual gratings within the cubic-quintic Ginzburg-Landau model, expanding control over soliton pattern formation.

Findings

Broad beams can split into stable soliton clusters using sharp gratings.

Virtual phase lattices can generate diverse soliton array geometries.

Methods enable creation of stable, complex soliton configurations.

Abstract

We elaborate two generic methods for producing two-dimensional (2D) spatial soliton arrays (SSAs) in the framework of the cubic-quintic (CQ) complex Ginzburg-Landau (CGL) model. The first approach deals with a broad beam launched into the dissipative nonlinear medium, which is equipped with an imprinted grating of a sufficiently sharp form. The beam splits into a cluster of jets, each subsequently self-trapping into a stable soliton, if the power is sufficient for that. We consider two kinds of sharp gratings -- "raised-cosine" (RC) and Kronig-Penney (KP) lattices -- and two types of the input beams, fundamental and vortical. By selecting appropriate parameters, this method makes it possible to create various types of solitons arrays, such as solid, annular (with single and double rings), and cross-shaped ones. The second method uses a "virtual lattice", in the form of a periodic transverse phase modulation imprinted into the broad beam, which is passed through an appropriate phase mask and then shone into a uniform nonlinear medium. Two different types of the masks are considered, in the form of a "checkerboard" or "tilings". In that case, broad fundamental and vortical beams may also evolve into stable SSAs, if the beam's power and spacing of the virtual phase lattice are large enough. By means of the latter technique, square-shaped, hexagonal, and quasi-crystalline SSAs can be created.