Subwavelength optical spatial solitons and three-dimensional localization in disordered ferroelectrics: towards metamaterials of nonlinear origin

TL;DR

This paper predicts a new class of multidimensional, subwavelength light localization phenomena in disordered ferroelectric crystals, with potential applications in super-resolution imaging and dense optical storage.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of multidimensional light localizations in out-of-equilibrium ferroelectrics, including 2D non-diffracting beams and 3D subwavelength light bullets, in a novel disordered state.

Findings

Non-diffracting beams form at low power and subwavelength widths.

Discovery of 3D subwavelength light bullets.

Potential for super-resolution imaging and optical storage.

Abstract

We predict the existence of a novel class of multidimensional light localizations in out-of-equilibrium ferroelectric crystals. In two dimensions, the non-diffracting beams form at arbitrary low power level and propagate even when their width is well below the optical wavelength. In three dimensions, a novel form of subwavelength light bullets is found. The effects emerge when compositionally disordered crystals are brought to their metastable glassy state, and can have a profound impact on super-resolved imaging and ultra-dense optical storage, while resembling many features of the so-called metamaterials, as the suppression of evanescent waves.