Soliton dynamics in symmetric and non-symmetric complex potentials

TL;DR

This paper explores how solitons behave in various symmetric and non-symmetric complex potentials, revealing diverse dynamical phenomena and potential applications through systematic analysis and numerical simulations.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive study of soliton dynamics in complex potentials, including new insights into non-reciprocal scattering and trapping mechanisms.

Findings

Diverse soliton behaviors including trapping and mass variation

Effective particle phase space approach matches simulations

Potential for engineered inhomogeneous gain and loss applications

Abstract

Soliton propagation dynamics under the presence of a complex potential are investigated. A large variety of qualitatively different potentials, including periodic, semi-infinite periodic and localized potentials, is considered. Cases of both symmetric and non-symmetric potentials are studied in terms of their effect on soliton dynamics. The rich set of dynamical features of soliton propagation include dynamical trapping, periodic and non-periodic soliton mass variation and non-reciprocal scattering dynamics. These features are systematically investigated with the utilization of an effective particle phase space approach which is shown in remarkable agreement with direct numerical simulations. The generality of the results enables the consideration of potential applications where the inhomogeneity of the gain and loss is appropriately engineered in order to provide desirable soliton dynamics.