Nonlocal stabilization of nonlinear beams in a self-focusing atomic vapor. uri icon

abstract

  • We show that ballistic transport of optically excited atoms in an atomic vapor provides a nonlocal nonlinearity which stabilizes the propagation of vortex beams and higher order modes in the presence of a self-focusing nonlinearity. Numerical experiments demonstrate stable propagation of higher order nonlinear states (dipole, vortices, and rotating azimuthons) over a hundred diffraction lengths, before dissipation leads to decay of these structures.

published proceedings

  • Phys Rev Lett

author list (cited authors)

  • Skupin, S., Saffman, M., & Krlikowski, W.

citation count

  • 151

complete list of authors

  • Skupin, S||Saffman, M||Królikowski, W

publication date

  • June 2007