Three-dimensional topological solitons in PT-symmetric optical lattices

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the existence and stability of three-dimensional solitons, including vortex states, in PT-symmetric optical lattices with focusing Kerr nonlinearity, revealing new stable solutions supported by complex potentials.

Contribution

It is the first to show stable three-dimensional solitons, including vortex states, in complex PT-symmetric lattices, expanding understanding of nonlinear wave stability.

Findings

Fundamental solitons can be stable up to the PT-symmetry breaking point.

Vortex solitons exist as stable states within narrow parameter regions.

Imaginary parts of the lattice induce internal currents affecting soliton stability.

Abstract

We address the properties of fully three-dimensional solitons in complex parity-time (PT)-symmetric periodic lattices with focusing Kerr nonlinearity, and uncover that such lattices can stabilize both, fundamental and vortex-carrying soliton states. The imaginary part of the lattice induces internal currents in the solitons that strongly affect their domains of existence and stability. The domain of stability for fundamental solitons can extend nearly up to the PT-symmetry breaking point, where the linear lattice spectrum becomes complex. Vortex solitons feature spatially asymmetric profiles in the PT-symmetric lattices, but they are found to still exist as stable states within narrow regions. Our results provide the first example of continuous families of stable three-dimensional propagating solitons supported by complex potentials.