Table of Contents

Series

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Preface

Acknowledgments

Contributors

Chapter 1: Nematicons

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Models

1.3 Numerical Simulations

1.4 Experimental Observations

1.5 Conclusions

References

Chapter 2: Features of Strongly Nonlocal Spatial Solitons

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Phenomenological Theory of Strongly Nonlocal Spatial Solitons

2.3 Nonlocal Spatial Solitons in Nematic Liquid Crystals

2.4 Conclusion

Appendix 2.A: Proof of the Equivalence of the Snyder–Mitchell Model (Eq. 2.16) and the Strongly Nonlocal Model (Eq. 2.11)

Appendix 2.B: Perturbative Solution for a Single Soliton of the NNLSE (Eq. 2.4) in NLC

References

Chapter 3: Theoretical Approaches To Nonlinear Wave Evolution In Higher Dimensions

3.1 Simple Example of Multiple Scales Analysis

3.2 Survey of Perturbation Methods for Solitary Waves

3.3 Linearized Perturbation Theory for Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation

3.4 Modulation Theory: Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation

3.5 Radiation Loss

3.6 Solitary Waves in Nematic Liquid Crystals: Nematicons

3.7 Radiation Loss for The Nematicon Equations

3.8 Choice of Trial Function

3.9 Conclusions

Appendix 3.A: Integrals

Appendix 3.B: Shelf Radius

References

Chapter 4: Soliton Families in Strongly Nonlocal Media

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Mathematical Models

4.3 Soliton Families in Strongly Nonlocal Nonlinear Media

4.4 Conclusions

References

Chapter 5: External Control of Nematicon Paths

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Basic Equations

5.3 Nematicon Control with External Light Beams

5.4 Voltage Control of Nematicon Walk-Off

5.5 Voltage-Defined Interfaces

5.6 Conclusions

References

Chapter 6: Dynamics of Optical Solitons in Bias-Free Nematic Liquid Crystals

6.1 Summary

6.2 Introduction

6.3 From One to Two Nematicons

6.4 Counter-Propagating Nematicons

6.5 Interaction of Nematicons with Curved Surfaces

6.6 Multimode Nematicon-Induced Waveguides

6.7 Dipole Azimuthons and Charge-Flipping

6.8 Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 7: Interaction of Nematicons and Nematicon Clusters

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Gravitation of Nematicons

7.3 In-Plane Interaction of Two-Color Nematicons

7.4 Multidimensional Clusters

7.5 Vortex Cluster Interactions

7.6 Conclusions

Appendix: Integrals

References

Chapter 8: Nematicons in Light Valves

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Reorientational Kerr Effect and Soliton Formation in Nematic Liquid Crystals

8.3 Liquid Crystal Light Valves

8.4 Spatial Solitons in Light Valves

8.5 Soliton Propagation in 3D Anisotropic Media: Model and Experiment

8.6 Soliton Gating and Switching by External Beams

8.7 Conclusions and Perspectives

References

Chapter 9: Propagation of Light Confined via Thermo-Optical Effect in Nematic Liquid Crystals

9.1 Introduction

9.2 First Observation in NLC

9.3 Characterization and Nonlocality Measurement

9.4 Thermal Versus Orientational Self-Waveguides

9.5 Applications

9.6 Conclusions

References

Chapter 10: Discrete Light Propagation in Arrays of Liquid Crystalline Waveguides

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Discrete Systems

10.3 Waveguide Arrays in Nematic Liquid Crystals

10.4 Discrete Diffraction and Discrete Solitons

10.5 Optical Multiband Vector Breathers

10.6 Nonlinear Angular Steering

10.7 Landau–Zener Tunneling

10.8 Bloch Oscillations

10.9 Conclusions

References

Chapter 11: Power-Dependent Nematicon Self-Routing

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Nematicons: Governing Equations

11.3 Single-Hump Nematicon Profiles

11.4 Actual Experiments: Role of Losses

11.5 Nematicon Self-Steering in Dye-Doped NLC

11.6 Boundary Effects

11.7 Nematicon Self-Steering Through Interaction with Linear Inhomogeneities

11.8 Conclusions

References

Chapter 12: Twisted and Chiral Nematicons

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Chiral and Twisted Nematics

12.3 Theoretical Model

12.4 Experimental Results

12.5 Discrete Diffraction

12.6 Conclusions

References

Chapter 13: Time Dependence of Spatial Solitons in Nematic Liquid Crystals

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Temporal Behavior of Different Nonlinearities and Governing Equations

13.3 Formation of Reorientational Solitons

13.4 Conclusions

References

Chapter 14: Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Light Bullets in Nematic Liquid Crystals

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Optical Propagation Under Multiple Nonlinear Contributions

14.3 Accessible Light Bullets

14.4 Temporal Modulation Instability in Nematicons

14.5 Soliton-Enhanced Frequency Conversion

14.6 Conclusions

References

Chapter 15: Vortices in Nematic Liquid Crystals

15.1 Introduction

15.2 Stabilization of Vortices in Nonlocal, Nonlinear Media

15.3 Vortex in a Bounded Cell

15.4 Stabilization of Vortices by Vortex–Beam Interaction

15.5 Azimuthally Dependent Vortices

15.6 Conclusions

References

Chapter 16: Dispersive Shock Waves in Reorientational and Other Optical Media

16.1 Introduction

16.2 Governing Equations and Modulational Instability

16.3 Existing Experimental and Numerical Results

16.4 Analytical Solutions for Defocusing Equations

16.5 Analytical Solutions for Focusing Equations

16.6 Conclusions

References

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