Abstract

Spatial solitons have innate appeal as binary elements in future information technology (IT) systems. Analyses of conventional soliton beams are based on the paraxial Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation (NSE). However, in the context of the miniaturisation of IT devices and in more general configurations [1], the paraxial approximation may be violated. Recently, we have shown that the Nonparaxial Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation (NNSE) has exact analytical soliton solutions from which conventional paraxial solitons are recovered in the appropriate limit [1]. Numerical studies should be able to address important questions surrounding the stability and generation of non-paraxial solitons. However, existing algorithms tend to yield distinct results [2a]. Our exact analytical work has, for the first time, permitted the testing and development of accurate non-paraxial beam propagation methods.

© 1998 IEEE