Robust three-dimensional high-order solitons and breathers in driven dissipative systems: a Kerr cavity realization

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to generate and stabilize three-dimensional high-order solitons and breathers in driven nonlinear optical cavities, specifically using a Kerr cavity with a tailored potential, enabling deterministic formation of these complex structures.

Contribution

It demonstrates the stabilization of 3D solitons and breathers in a Kerr cavity with an attractive potential, a rare feat in passive nonlinear systems, and explores the creation of asymmetric solitons through potential tuning.

Findings

Stable 3D solitons (light-bullets) are the only stable states for certain parameters.

Deterministic formation of target solitons or breathers from any input field.

Existence of stable asymmetric solitons by tuning the potential width.

Abstract

We present a general approach to excite robust dissipative three-dimensional and high-order solitons and breathers in passively driven nonlinear cavities. Our findings are illustrated in the paradigmatic example provided by an optical Kerr cavity with diffraction and anomalous dispersion, with the addition of an attractive three-dimensional parabolic potential. The potential breaks the translational symmetry along all directions, and impacts the system in a qualitatively unexpected manner: three-dimensional solitons, or light-bullets, are the only existing and stable states for a given set of parameters. This property is extremely rare, if not unknown, in passive nonlinear physical systems. As a result, the excitation of the cavity with any input field leads to the deterministic formation of a target soliton or breather, with a spatiotemporal profile that unambiguously corresponds to the given cavity and pumping conditions. In addition, the tuning of the potential width along the temporal direction results in the existence of a plethora of stable asymmetric solitons. Our results may provide a solid route towards the observation of dissipative light bullets and three-dimensional breathers.