Spatial distribution clamping of discrete spatial solitons due to three photon absorption in AlGaAs waveguide arrays

TL;DR

This paper reports the observation of spatial distribution clamping of discrete spatial solitons in AlGaAs waveguide arrays caused by three-photon absorption, which prevents further distribution changes at high intensities.

Contribution

It demonstrates the phenomenon of spatial distribution clamping due to three-photon absorption in AlGaAs waveguides at high intensities.

Findings

Clamping of the output spatial light distribution observed.

Three-photon absorption limits the soliton distribution at high intensities.

Peak intensities of ~24 GW/cm2 achieved in experiments.

Abstract

We observe clamping of the output spatial light distribution of a waveguide array. Using a chirped pulse amplifier we reach peak intensities in the waveguides of ~24 GW/cm2. At this level, three photon absorption in the AlGaAs material clamps the discrete spatial soliton to a set distribution. Further increase in intensity does not change the distribution.