Open AccessSimple physics of quadratic spatial solitons
Author(s) -
Gaetano Assanto,
George I. Stegeman
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.10.000388
Subject(s) - observability , physics , parametric statistics , quadratic growth , quadratic equation , optics , simple (philosophy) , diffraction , nonlinear system , statistical physics , phase (matter) , nonlinear optics , interpretation (philosophy) , quantum mechanics , computer science , algorithm , mathematics , philosophy , statistics , geometry , epistemology , programming language
Spatial solitons in quadratically nonlinear media result from the interplay of parametric gain, diffraction and cascading phase shift. Their main features are well understood in mathematical terms, and several experiments have been successfully carried out which demonstrate their observability and most important properties. Here we provide an intuitive interpretation of the underlying physics, outlining the processes that govern their excitation, propagation and collisional interactions.