title: Beam hysteresis via reorientational self-focusing.
abstract: We theoretically investigate light self-trapping in nonlinear dielectrics with a reorientational response subject to threshold, specifically nematic liquid crystals. Beyond a finite excitation, two solitary waves exist for any given power, with an hysteretic dynamics due to feedback between beam size, self-focusing and the nonlinear threshold. Soliton stability is discussed on the basis of the system free energy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alberucci
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piccardi
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kravets
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Assanto