Formation and stability of vortex solitons in nematic liquid crystals
Paweł S. Jung, Yana V. Izdebskaya, Vladlen G. Shvedov, Demetrios N. Christodoulides, Wiesław Królikowski
Abstract
We study the propagation dynamics of bright optical vortex solitons in nematic liquid crystals with a nonlocal reorientational nonlinear response. We investigate the role of optical birefringence on the stability of these solitons. In agreement with recent experimental observations, we show that the birefringence-induced astigmatism can eventually destabilize these vortex solitons. However, for low and moderate birefringence, vortex solitons can propagate stably over experimentally relevant distances.
Topics & Concepts
Liquid crystalOpticsVortexMaterials scienceOptical vortexPhysicsCondensed matter physicsMechanicsNonlinear Photonic SystemsNonlinear Waves and SolitonsNonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation