0000000000772956
AUTHOR
Sergio Rica
Condensation of classical nonlinear waves
We study the formation of a large-scale coherent structure (a condensate) in classical wave equations by considering the defocusing nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation as a representative model. We formulate a thermodynamic description of the condensation process by using a wave turbulence theory with ultraviolet cut-off. In 3 dimensions the equilibrium state undergoes a phase transition for sufficiently low energy density, while no transition occurs in 2 dimensions, in analogy with standard Bose-Einstein condensation in quantum systems. Numerical simulations show that the thermodynamic limit is reached for systems with $16^3$ computational modes and greater. On the basis of a modified wave tu…
Introduction to Wave Turbulence Formalisms for Incoherent Optical Waves
We provide an introduction to different wave turbulence formalisms describing the propagation of partially incoherent optical waves in nonlinear media. We consider the nonlinear Schrodinger equation as a representative model accounting for a nonlocal or a noninstantaneous nonlinearity, as well as higher-order dispersion effects. We discuss the wave turbulence kinetic equation describing, e.g., wave condensation or wave thermalization through supercontinuum generation; the Vlasov formalism describing incoherent modulational instabilities and the formation of large scale incoherent localized structures in analogy with long-range gravitational systems; and the weak Langmuir turbulence formalis…
Coherence absorption and condensation induced by thermalization of incoherent nonlinear fields
We show that a conservative system of incoherent nonlinear waves exhibits, as a rule, an irreversible process of coherence transfer, in which the incoherence of the system is absorbed by the small-amplitude field, thus allowing the high-amplitude field to evolve towards a highly condensed coherent state. This process of coherence absorption results from the natural thermalization of the fields to a thermodynamic equilibrium state. The theory reveals that, contrary to a classical gas system, a wave system does not satisfy an equipartition of energy among the particles. Such a distinctive feature is the key property underlying the existence of the coherence absorption process. The coherence a…
Roadmap on optical rogue waves and extreme events
Nail Akhmediev et al. ; 38 págs.; 28 figs.
Observation of the kinetic condensation of classical waves
International audience; The observation of Bose-Einstein condensation, in which particle interactions lead to a thermodynamic transition into a single, macroscopically populated coherent state, is a triumph of modern physics(1-5). It is commonly assumed that this transition is a quantum process, relying on quantum statistics, but recent studies in wave turbulence theory have suggested that classical waves with random phases can condense in a formally identical manner(6-9). In complete analogy with gas kinetics, particle velocities map to wavepacket k-vectors, collisions are mimicked by four-wave mixing, and entropy principles drive the system towards an equipartition of energy. Here, we use…
Wave turbulence and thermalization of random nonlinear waves
International audience
Observation of classical optical wave condensation
We demonstrate the nonlinear condensation of classical optical waves. The condensation is observed directly, as a function of nonlinearity and wave kinetic energy, in a self-defocusing photorefractive crystal.
Observation of the condensation of classical waves
We report a theoretical, numerical and experimental study of condensation of classical optical waves. The condensation of observed directly, as a function of nonlinearity and wave kinetic energy, in a self-defocusing photorefractive crystal.
Condensation of classical optical waves beyond the cubic nonlinear Schrodinger equation
International audience; A completely classical nonlinear wave is known to exhibit a process of condensation whose thermodynamic properties are analogous to those of the genuine Bose-Einstein condensation. So far this phenomenon of wave condensation has been studied essentially in the framework of the nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation with a pure cubic Kerr nonlinearity. We study wave condensation by considering two representative generalizations of the NLS equation that are relevant to the context of nonlinear optics, the nonlocal nonlinearity and the saturable nonlinearity. For both cases we derive analytical expressions of the condensate fraction in the weakly and the strongly nonlinea…
Condensation of classical optical waves
We demonstrate the nonlinear condensation of classical optical waves. The condensation is observed directly, as a function of nonlinearity and wave kinetic energy, in a self-defocusing photorefractive crystal.
Breakdown of weak-turbulence and nonlinear wave condensation
Abstract The formation of a large-scale coherent structure (a condensate) as a result of the long time evolution of the initial value problem of a classical partial differential nonlinear wave equation is considered. We consider the nonintegrable and unforced defocusing NonLinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation as a representative model. In spite of the formal reversibility of the NLS equation, the nonlinear wave exhibits an irreversible evolution towards a thermodynamic equilibrium state. The equilibrium state is characterized by a homogeneous solution (condensate), with small-scale fluctuations superposed (uncondensed particles), which store the information necessary for “time reversal”. We an…
Thermalization of random nonlinear waves: Application to optical waves
International audience