Pyroliton: pyroelectric spatial soliton.
The concept of optical beam self-trapping in pyroelectric photorefractive medium is presented. We show that the temperature controlled spontaneous polarisation of ferroelectric crystals produces an optical nonlinearity that can lead to formation of 2-D spatial soliton named pyroliton. Experimental demonstrations performed in lithium niobate crystals illustrate that efficient self-trapping occurs either for ordinary or extraordinary polarisation under moderate temperature increase. For instance, a 15 microm diameter pyroliton can be formed with a 10 degree temperature raise.
Safioui
Jassem
J
Département d'Optique, Institut FEMTO-ST, UMR CNRS 6174, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.
Devaux
Fabrice
F
Chauvet
Mathieu
M