Theodoros P. Horikis

Matter-Wave Dark Solitons: Stochastic versus Analytical Results

The dynamics of dark matter-wave solitons in elongated atomic condensates are discussed at finite temperatures. Simulations with the stochastic Gross-Pitaevskii equation reveal a noticeable, experimentally observable spread in individual soliton trajectories, attributed to inherent fluctuations in both phase and density of the underlying medium. Averaging over a number of such trajectories (as done in experiments) washes out such background fluctuations, revealing a well-defined temperature-dependent temporal growth in the oscillation amplitude. The average soliton dynamics is well captured by the simpler dissipative Gross-Pitaevskii equation, both numerically and via an analytically derived equation for the soliton center based on perturbation theory for dark solitons.

Perturbations of dark solitons

A direct perturbation method for approximating dark soliton solutions of the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation under the influence of perturbations is presented. The problem is broken into an inner region, where the core of the soliton resides, and an outer region, which evolves independently of the soliton. It is shown that a shelf develops around the soliton that propagates with speed determined by the background intensity. Integral relations obtained from the conservation laws of the NLS equation are used to determine the properties of the shelf. The analysis is developed for both constant and slowly evolving backgrounds. A number of problems are investigated, including linear and nonlinear damping type perturbations.

Ring dark and antidark solitons in nonlocal media

Ring dark and antidark solitons in nonlocal media are found. These structures have, respectively, the form of annular dips or humps on top of a stable CW background, and exist in a weak or strong nonlocality regime, defined by the sign of a characteristic parameter. It is demonstrated analytically that these solitons satisfy an effective cylindrical Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (aka Johnsons) equation and, as such, can be written explicitly in closed form. Numerical simulations show that they propagate undistorted and undergo quasi-elastic collisions, attesting to their stability properties.

Dark solitons in mode-locked lasers

Dark soliton formation in mode-locked lasers is investigated by means of a power-energy saturation model that incorporates gain and filtering saturated with energy, and loss saturated with power. It is found that general initial conditions evolve (mode-lock) into dark solitons under appropriate requirements also met in experimental observations. The resulting pulses are essentially dark solitons of the unperturbed nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Notably, the same framework also describes bright pulses in anomalous and normally dispersive lasers.

Modal analysis of circular Bragg fibers with arbitrary index profiles

A finite-difference approach based upon the immersed interface method is used to analyze the mode structure of Bragg fibers with arbitrary index profiles. The method allows general propagation constants and eigenmodes to be calculated to a high degree of accuracy, while computation times are kept to a minimum by exploiting sparse matrix algebra. The method is well suited to handle complicated structures comprised of a large number of thin layers with high-index contrast and simultaneously determines multiple eigenmodes without modification.

Interacting nonlinear wave envelopes and rogue wave formation in deep water

A rogue wave formation mechanism is proposed within the framework of a coupled nonlinear Schrodinger (CNLS) system corresponding to the interaction of two waves propagating in oblique directions in deep water. A rogue condition is introduced that links the angle of interaction with the group velocities of these waves: different angles of interaction can result in a major enhancement of rogue events in both numbers and amplitude. For a range of interacting directions it is found that the CNLS system exhibits significantly more extreme wave amplitude events than its scalar counterpart. Furthermore, the rogue events of the coupled system are found to be well approximated by hyperbolic secant functions; they are vectorial soliton-type solutions of the CNLS system, typically not considered to be integrable. Overall, our results indicate that crossing states provide an important mechanism for the generation of rogue water wave events.

Dark solitons of the power-energy saturation model: application to mode-locked lasers

The generation and dynamics of dark solitons in mode-locked lasers is studied within the framework of a nonlinear Schrodinger equation which incorporates power-saturated loss, as well as energy-saturated gain and filtering. Mode-locking into single dark solitons and multiple dark pulses are found by employing different descriptions for the energy and power of the system defined over unbounded and periodic (ring laser) systems. Treating the loss, gain and filtering terms as perturbations, it is shown that these terms induce an expanding shelf around the soliton. The dark soliton dynamics are studied analytically by means of a perturbation method that takes into regard the emergence of the shelves and reveals their importance.

Asymptotic reductions and solitons of nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger equations

Asymptotic reductions of a defocusing nonlocal nonlinear Schrodinger model in (3 + 1)-dimensions, in both Cartesian and cylindrical geometry, are presented. First, at an intermediate stage, a Boussinesq equation is derived, and then its far-field, in the form of a variety of Kadomtsev–Petviashvilli (KP) equations for right- and left-going waves, is found. KP models include versions of the KP-I and KP-II equations, in Cartesian and cylindrical geometry. Solitary waves solutions, planar or ring-shaped, and of dark or anti-dark type, are also predicted to occur. Their nature and stability is determined by a parameter defined by the physical parameters of the original nonlocal system. It is thus found that (dark) anti-dark solitary waves are only supported by a weak (strong) nonlocality, and are unstable (stable) in higher-dimensions. Our analytical predictions are corroborated by direct numerical simulations.

Soliton strings and interactions in mode-locked lasers

Abstract Soliton strings in mode-locked lasers are obtained using a variant of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation, appropriately modified to model power (intensity) and energy saturation. This equation goes beyond the well-known master equation often used to model these systems. It admits mode-locking and soliton strings in both the constant dispersion and dispersion-managed systems in the (net) anomalous and normal regimes; the master equation is contained as a limiting case. Analysis of soliton interactions show that soliton strings can form when pulses are a certain distance apart relative to their width. Anti-symmetric bi-soliton states are also obtained. Initial states mode-lock to these states under evolution. In the anomalous regime individual soliton pulses are well approximated by the solutions of the unperturbed nonlinear Schrodinger equation, while in the normal regime the pulses are much wider and strongly chirped.

Self-Fourier functions and self-Fourier operators.

The concept of self-Fourier functions, i.e., functions that equal their Fourier transform, is almost always associated with specific functions, the most well known being the Gaussian and the Dirac delta comb. We show that there exists an infinite number of distinct families of these functions, and we provide an algorithm for both generating and characterizing their distinct classes. This formalism allows us to show the existence of these families of functions without actually evaluating any Fourier or other transform-type integrals, a task often challenging and frequently not even possible.