Observation of two-dimensional discrete solitons in optically induced nonlinear photonic lattices

Jason W. Fleischer, Mordechai Segev (), Nikolaos K. Efremidis and Demetrios N. Christodoulides
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Jason W. Fleischer: Technion—Israel Institute of Technology
Mordechai Segev: Technion—Israel Institute of Technology
Nikolaos K. Efremidis: University of Central Florida
Demetrios N. Christodoulides: University of Central Florida

Nature, 2003, vol. 422, issue 6928, 147-150

Abstract: Abstract Nonlinear periodic lattices occur in a large variety of systems, such as biological molecules1, nonlinear optical waveguides2, solid-state systems3 and Bose–Einstein condensates4. The underlying dynamics in these systems is dominated by the interplay between tunnelling between adjacent potential wells and nonlinearity1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15. A balance between these two effects can result in a self-localized state: a lattice or ‘discrete’ soliton1,2. Direct observation of lattice solitons has so far been limited to one-dimensional systems, namely in arrays of nonlinear optical waveguides2,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17. However, many fundamental features are expected to occur in higher dimensions, such as vortex lattice solitons18, bright lattice solitons that carry angular momentum, and three-dimensional collisions between lattice solitons. Here, we report the experimental observation of two-dimensional (2D) lattice solitons. We use optical induction, the interference of two or more plane waves in a photosensitive material, to create a 2D photonic lattice in which the solitons form11,12. Our results pave the way for the realization of a variety of nonlinear localization phenomena in photonic lattices and crystals19,20,21,22,23. Finally, our observation directly relates to the proposed lattice solitons in Bose–Einstein condensates4, which can be observed in optically induced periodic potentials24,25.

Date: 2003
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DOI: 10.1038/nature01452

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