Self-organized vortex and antivortex patterns in laser arrays

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that dissipatively coupled laser arrays can spontaneously form stable vortex and antivortex phase patterns, analogous to topological defects in the XY model, with stability influenced by photon-to-gain lifetime ratios.

Contribution

It reveals the spontaneous formation and stability conditions of vortex patterns in laser arrays, linking optical phenomena to topological defect models.

Findings

Vortex and antivortex patterns are stable in laser arrays.

Small photon-to-gain lifetime ratios destabilize these patterns.

Patterns are less likely than the ground state lasing mode.

Abstract

Recently it is shown that dissipatively coupled laser arrays simulate the classical XY model. We show that phase-locking of laser arrays can give rise to the spontaneous formation of vortex and antivortex phase patterns that are analogous to topological defects of the XY model. These patterns are stable although their formation is less likely in comparison to the ground state lasing mode. In addition, we show that small ratios of photon-to-gain lifetime destabilizes vortex and antivortex phase patterns. These findings are important for studying topological effects in optics as well as for designing laser array devices.