Collapse of optical vortices.
We theoretically and experimentally investigate the self-focusing of optical vortices in Kerr media. We observe collapse to a distinct self-similar profile, which becomes unstable to azimuthal perturbations. We analyze the azimuthal modulational instability for ring-shaped vortices and predict the number of azimuthal maxima solely as a function of power and topological charge. In our experiments, the observed multiple-filamentation patterns are in excellent agreement with our theoretical analysis.
Vuong
Luat T
LT
School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Grow
Taylor D
TD
Ishaaya
Amiel
A
Gaeta
Alexander L
AL
't Hooft
Gert W
GW
Eliel
Eric R
ER
Fibich
Gadi
G