Soliton steering by longitudinal modulation of the nonlinearity in waveguide arrays

G. Assanto, L. A. Cisneros, A. A. Minzoni, B. Skuse, N. F. Smyth and A. Worthy

Phys. Rev. Lett. 104 (5), 053903 (2010)

Abstract:

We show how discrete solitary waves in two-dimensional waveguide arrays can be steered across the lattice via the introdution of a longitudinal periodic modulation of the nonlinear response. Through parametric energy transfer from the modulation to the solitary wave, the latter can increase its width and overcome the Peierls-Nabarro potential to propagate freely.