Light Propagation in Nonlinear Optical Media

Abstract

Chapter 2 on light propagation in nonlinear optical media describes the origin of self-focusing of beams in nonlinear optical media in general. It shows how these focusing effects can be exploited to create optical spatial solitons. Starting with one-dimensional transverse soliton phenomena the general features of soliton formation which lead to a description by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation are shown. On the basis of these introductory investigations the existing conditions for two-dimensional spatial optical solitons are considered which lead to novel solitary structures with exciting interaction features.