title: Observation of stable-vector vortex solitons.
abstract: We report on the first experimental observation of stable-vector vortex solitons in nonlocal nonlinear media with a reorientational response, such as nematic liquid crystals. These solitons consist of two co-polarized, mutually trapped beams of different colors, a bright fundamental spatial soliton, and a nonlinear optical vortex. The nonlinear vortex component, which is normally unstable in nonlinear media, is stabilized and confined here by the highly nonlocal refractive potential induced by the soliton.
authors.forename: Yana
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Izdebskaya
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Assanto
authors.forename: Wieslaw
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Krolikowski