Nematicons

M. Peccianti and G. Assanto

Phys. Rep. 516, 147-208 (2012)

Abstract:

We review the recent developments of spatial optical solitons in nematic liquid crystals, also known as Nematicons. We outline their properties, linked to a reorientational nonlinearity in the presence of significant optical anisotropy and spatial nonlocality. The molecular response is described in conjunction with the pertinent wave-evolution models and their reduction to known equations. Various features and experimental results are reported in to highlight the main concepts and point out potential applications.