Crossover from two-frequency pulse compounds to escaping solitons

authored by: O. Melchert, S. Willms, U. Morgner, I. Babushkin, A. Demircan
Abstract: The nonlinear interaction of copropagating optical solitons enables a large variety of intriguing bound-states of light. We here investigate the interaction dynamics of two initially superimposed fundamental solitons at distinctly different frequencies. Both pulses are located in distinct domains of anomalous dispersion, separated by an interjacent domain of normal dispersion, so that group velocity matching can be achieved despite a vast frequency gap. We demonstrate the existence of two regions with different dynamical behavior. For small velocity mismatch we observe a domain in which a single heteronuclear pulse compound is formed, which is distinct from the usual concept of soliton molecules. The binding mechanism is realized by the mutual cross phase modulation of the interacting pulses. For large velocity mismatch both pulses escape their mutual binding and move away from each other. The crossover phase between these two cases exhibits two localized states with different velocity, consisting of a strong trapping pulse and weak trapped pulse. We detail a simplified theoretical approach which accurately estimates the parameter range in which compound states are formed. This trapping-to-escape transition allows to study the limits of pulse-bonding as a fundamental phenomenon in nonlinear optics, opening up new perspectives for the all-optical manipulation of light by light.
Organisation(s): PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines
Institute of Quantum Optics
Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies (HOT)
QuantumFrontiers
Type: Article
Journal: Scientific reports
Volume: 11
ISSN: 2045-2322
Publication date: 27.05.2021
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: General
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-90705-6 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{366f986e0b6a48a79aae941166bb8a87,
title = "Crossover from two-frequency pulse compounds to escaping solitons",
abstract = "The nonlinear interaction of copropagating optical solitons enables a large variety of intriguing bound-states of light. We here investigate the interaction dynamics of two initially superimposed fundamental solitons at distinctly different frequencies. Both pulses are located in distinct domains of anomalous dispersion, separated by an interjacent domain of normal dispersion, so that group velocity matching can be achieved despite a vast frequency gap. We demonstrate the existence of two regions with different dynamical behavior. For small velocity mismatch we observe a domain in which a single heteronuclear pulse compound is formed, which is distinct from the usual concept of soliton molecules. The binding mechanism is realized by the mutual cross phase modulation of the interacting pulses. For large velocity mismatch both pulses escape their mutual binding and move away from each other. The crossover phase between these two cases exhibits two localized states with different velocity, consisting of a strong trapping pulse and weak trapped pulse. We detail a simplified theoretical approach which accurately estimates the parameter range in which compound states are formed. This trapping-to-escape transition allows to study the limits of pulse-bonding as a fundamental phenomenon in nonlinear optics, opening up new perspectives for the all-optical manipulation of light by light.",
author = "O. Melchert and S. Willms and U. Morgner and I. Babushkin and A. Demircan",
note = "Funding Information: The authors acknowledge financial support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under Germany{\textquoteright}s Excellence Strategy within the Clusters of Excellence PhoenixD (Photonics, Optics, and Engineering – Innovation Across Disciplines) (EXC 2122, projectID 390833453) and QuantumFrontiers (EXC 2123, projectId 390837967).",
year = "2021",
month = may,
day = "27",
doi = "10.1038/s41598-021-90705-6",
language = "English",
volume = "11",
journal = "Scientific reports",
issn = "2045-2322",
publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",
}