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Light Self-Localization and Power-Dependent Steering in Anisotropic Dielectrics: Spatial Solitons in Uniaxial Nematic Liquid Crystals

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Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking, Self-Trapping, and Josephson Oscillations

Part of the book series: Progress in Optical Science and Photonics ((POSP,volume 1))

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Abstract

We discuss nonlinear propagation of light beams in anisotropic media, addressing the role of nonlocality and nonlinearity in power-dependent beam self-steering. With specific reference to spatial solitons in positive uniaxial nematic liquid crystals (i.e. nematicons), we describe soliton self-acceleration through reorientational response and nonlinear walk-off.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    In this work we will use the terms soliton and solitary waves interchangeably, even though in mathematical physics they can refer to distinct wave entities.

  2. 2.

    Nematicons could propagate even in negative uniaxial NLC, the only difference being the sign of the torque. To our knowledge, no experimental observation was reported in this case.

  3. 3.

    Hereby we ignore wavevector deflections associated with asymmetric boundary conditions.

  4. 4.

    This is true for the given anisotropy; see [50] for a complete discussion on the role played by the anisotropy \(\varvec{\epsilon}_a\) on nematicon properties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nonlinear Optics and OptoElectronics Lab (NooEL), University “Roma Tre”, Via della Vasca Navale 84, 00146, Rome, Italy

    Alessandro Alberucci & Gaetano Assanto

Authors
  1. Alessandro Alberucci
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  2. Gaetano Assanto
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Correspondence to Alessandro Alberucci .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering The Iby and Aladar Fleischman, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel

    Boris A. Malomed

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Alberucci, A., Assanto, G. (2013). Light Self-Localization and Power-Dependent Steering in Anisotropic Dielectrics: Spatial Solitons in Uniaxial Nematic Liquid Crystals. In: Malomed, B. (eds) Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking, Self-Trapping, and Josephson Oscillations. Progress in Optical Science and Photonics, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/10091_2012_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/10091_2012_23

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