Abstract

Self-focusing and self-trapping of light have been investigated since the early days of nonlinear optics.¹ Interest in this field has been maintained by the fascinating range of new phenomena encountered and their potential applications. Until very recently such effects have been pursued by use of the optical Kerr effect in third-order, or cubic, nonlinear media and the photorefractive effect. However, self-trapping of light also occurs in quadratic nonlinear media and both temporal and spatial soldons form through the mutual focusing of the waves parametrically interacting in the medium.

© 1996 Optical Society of America