Generalized complex Swift-Hohenberg equation for optical parametric oscillators

A generalized complex Swift-Hohenberg equation including diffraction and nonlinear resonance terms is derived for spatially extended nondegenerate optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) with flat end mirrors. For vanishing pump detuning this equation becomes the complex Swift-Hohenberg (SH) equation valid also for lasers. Nevertheless the similarities between OPOs and lasers are limited, since the diffractive character of OPOs is lost when the diffraction coefficients of signal and idler fields are equal. This manifests, e.g., in the absence of advection by traveling waves (TWs), a clear difference with lasers. When pump detuning is nonzero a nonlinear resonance develops, as it occurs in deg…

The Ising–Bloch transition in degenerate optical parametric oscillators

Domain walls in type I degenerate optical parametric oscillators are numerically investigated. Both steady Ising and moving Bloch walls are found, bifurcating one into another through a nonequilibrium Ising--Bloch transition. Bloch walls are found that connect either homogeneous or roll planforms. Secondary bifurcations affecting Bloch wall movement are characterized that lead to a transition from a steady drift state to a temporal chaotic movement as the system is moved far from the primary, Ising--Bloch bifurcation. Two kinds of routes to chaos are found, both involving tori: a usual Ruelle-Takens and an intermittent scenarios.

Role of pump diffraction on the stability of localized structures in degenerate optical parametric oscillators.

We show that the stability range of localized structures (LS's) in the form of minimum size phase domains in degenerate optical parametric oscillators is enhanced by increasing the diffraction of the pump wave. Pump diffraction enhances spatial oscillations of decaying tails of domain boundaries, whereas spatially oscillating (weakly decaying) tails prevent the collapse of LS's, enhance their stability range, and allow the existence of more complex LS's in the form of molecules.

Dynamics of phase domains in the Swift-Hohenberg equation

Abstract We analyze analytically and numerically the dynamics of phase domains in the Swift-Hohenberg equation. For negative or small positive detuning domains contract and disappear. A large positive detuning leads to dendritic growth of the domains, and the formation of labyrinth structures. Intermediate detuning results in stable circular domains - the localized structures of the Swift-Hohenberg equation. The predicted phenomena should occur in parametrically driven chemical, hydrodynamical, and nonlinear optical systems.

Domain wall dynamics in an optical Kerr cavity

An anisotropic (dichroic) optical cavity containing a self-focusing Kerr medium is shown to display a bifurcation between static --Ising-- and moving --Bloch-- domain walls, the so-called nonequilibrium Ising-Bloch transition (NIB). Bloch walls can show regular or irregular temporal behaviour, in particular, bursting and spiking. These phenomena are interpreted in terms of the spatio-temporal dynamics of the extended patterns connected by the wall, which display complex dynamical behaviour as well. Domain wall interaction, including the formation of bound states is also addressed.

Cavity solitons in bidirectional lasers.

We show theoretically that a broad area bidirectional laser with slightly different cavity losses for the two counterpropagating fields sustains cavity solitons (CSs). These structures are complementary, i.e., there is a bright (dark) CS in the field with more (less) losses. Interestingly, the CSs can be written/erased by injecting suitable pulses in any of the two counterpropagating fields.

Closed Busse balloon for rolls and skew-varicose instability in a Swift-Hohenberg model with nonlinear resonance

Abstract A Swift-Hohenberg model incorporating a nonlinear resonance is shown to produce stable rolls only in a closed region of the parameter space. This Busse balloon is limited by zigzag and Eckhaus boundaries. A skew-varicose instability outside the balloon also exists. Implications with nonlinear optics and hydrodynamic convection are commented.

Nonlinear Resonance Effects in Pattern Formation in Optical Parametric Oscillators

Vectorial Kerr-cavity solitons.

It is shown that a Kerr cavity with different losses for the two polarization components of the field can support both dark and bright cavity solitons (CS’s). A parametrically driven Ginzburg–Landau equation is shown to describe the system for large-cavity anisotropy. In one transverse dimension the nonlinear dynamics of the bright CS’s is numerically investigated.

Diffusion stabilizes cavity solitons in bidirectional lasers

We study the influence of field diffusion on the spatial localized structures (cavity solitons) recently predicted in bidirectional lasers. We find twofold positive role of the diffusion: 1) it increases the stability range of the individual (isolated) solitons; 2) it reduces the long-range interaction between the cavity solitons. Latter allows the independent manipulation (writing and erasing) of individual cavity solitons.

Turing Patterns in Nonlinear Optics

The phenomenon of pattern formation in nonlinear optical resonators is commonly related to an off-resonance excitation mechanism, where patterns occur due to mismatch between the excitation and resonance frequency. In this paper we show that the patterns in nonlinear optics can also occur due to the interplay between diffractions of coupled field components. The reported mechanism is analogous to that of local activation and lateral inhibition found in reaction-diffusion systems by Turing. We study concretely the degenerate optical parametric oscillators. A local activator-lateral inhibitor mechanism is responsible for generation of Turing patterns in form of hexagons.

Transverse patterns in degenerate optical parametric oscillation and degenerate four-wave mixing.

Transverse pattern formation in both degenerate optical parametric oscillation and degenerate four-wave mixing is considered both theoretically and numerically. In the limit of small signal detuning both systems are shown to be described by the real Swift-Hohenberg equation. Contrarily, for small signal and large pump detunings the Swift-Hohenberg equation is modified differently in both systems, by the appearance of additional nonlinear terms, which signal the existence of nonlinear resonances that are theoretically studied through the derivation of the amplitude equation for the roll pattern in both systems. Numerical analysis supports the theoretical predictions. \textcopyright{} 1996 Th…

Ultrasonic cavity solitons

We report on a new type of localized structure, an ultrasonic cavity soliton, supported by large aspect-ratio acoustic resonators containing viscous media. These states of the acoustic and thermal fields are robust structures, existing whenever a spatially uniform solution and a periodic pattern coexist. Direct proof of their existence is given both through the numerical integration of the model and through the analysis and numerical integration of a generalized Swift-Hohenberg equation, derived from the microscopic equations under conditions close to nascent bistability. An analytical solution for the ultrasonic cavity soliton is given.

Polarization instability in anisotropic-cavity degenerate four-wave mixing

Abstract The emission and stability properties of a plane-wave model of intracavity degenerate four-wave mixing including self- and cross-phase modulation are studied. A Kerr medium inside an anisotropic cavity in which a linearly polarized field is injected is considered. Cavity anisotropy leads to qualitative new phenomena such as a subcritical polarization instability.

Stability of localized structures in the Swift-Hohenberg equation.

We show that nonmonotonic (oscillatory) decay of the boundaries of phase domains is crucial for the stability of localized structures in systems described by Swift-Hohenberg equation. The less damped (more oscillatory) are the boundaries, the larger are the existence ranges of the localized structures. For very weakly damped spatial oscillations, higher-order localized structures are possible.