title: Pyroliton: pyroelectric spatial soliton.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Département d'Optique, Institut FEMTO-ST, UMR CNRS 6174, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.
authors.forename: Jassem
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Safioui
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Devaux
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chauvet