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arXiv · 1510.09168

Self-organization of light in optical media with competing nonlinearities

F. Maucher·T. Pohl·S. Skupin·W. Krolikowski
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Abstract

We study the propagation of light beams through optical media with competing nonlocal nonlinearities. We demonstrate that the nonlocality of competing focusing and defocusing nonlinearities gives rise to self-organization and stationary states with stable hexagonal intensity patterns, akin to transverse crystals of light filaments. Signatures of this long-range ordering are shown to be observable in the propagation of light in optical waveguides and even in free space. We consider a specific form of the nonlinear response that arises in atomic vapor upon proper light coupling. Yet, the general phenomenon of self-organization is a generic consequence of competing nonlocal nonlinearities, and may, hence, also be observed in other settings.

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F. Maucher, T. Pohl, S. Skupin, W. Krolikowski. 2016-03-29. Self-organization of light in optical media with competing nonlinearities. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.116.163902

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