Abstract

We consider the expanded class of one- and two-dimensional spatial solitons that exist when the soliton is a compound entity composed of two orthogonal beams [1-3]. These solitons propagate in a homogeneous isotropic medium whose refractive index has an arbitrary dependence on intensity. As with classical solitons, their intensity profile remains axially uniform but, in addition, their polarization state now changes continuously with propagation. We refer to this new class of self-guided waves as ‘dynamic solitons’ because of their internal field dynamics. Dynamic solitons can have an arbitrary number of intensity peaks and thus exhibit novel intensity profiles. Their common salient property is that they are composed of two orthogonal beams, neither of which is, in general, a soliton on its own. Each beam is, however, a mode of the (axially uniform) linear optical waveguide induced by the dynamic soliton.

© 1993 Optical Society of America