Quantitative Analysis of Shock Wave Dynamics in a Fluid of Light

TL;DR

This paper investigates dispersive shock waves in a nonlinear optical medium, demonstrating experimental observations aligned with Whitham modulation theory, and providing a benchmark for future optical shock wave engineering.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed experimental validation of Whitham modulation theory for optical shock waves in a fluid of light.

Findings

Experimental observation of shock wave formation and evolution.

Agreement between measurements and Whitham theory predictions.

Potential for engineering optical shock wave configurations.

Abstract

We report on the formation of a dispersive shock wave in a nonlinear optical medium. We monitor the evolution of the shock by tuning the incoming beam power. The experimental observations for the position and intensity of the solitonic edge of the shock, as well as the location of the nonlinear oscillations are well described by recent developments of Whitham modulation theory. Our work constitutes a detailed and accurate benchmark for this approach. It opens exciting possibilities to engineer specific configurations of optical shock wave for studying wave-mean flow interaction.