Berlin 2014 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 67: Photonics III

Q 67.6: Vortrag

Freitag, 21. März 2014, 17:45–18:00, UDL HS3038

Nonlinear vortex propagation in discrete photonic structures — •Evgenij Travkin, Falko Diebel, Patrick Rose, Martin Boguslawski, and Cornelia Denz — Institut für Angewandte Physik and Center for Nonlinear Science (CeNoS), Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany

A focal topic in the field of photorefractive optics is the investigation of light propagation in optically induced photonic structures. Since light propagating in such environments interacts with both the photonic potential as well as the photorefractive medium, this allows for in-depth experimental studies of a whole class of nonlinear systems.

We investigate complex refractive index modulations optically induced in photorefractive media. Such index distributions are non-permanent, they can be easily adapted and are highly customizable. Using nondiffracting beams, it is possible to induce single two-dimensional waveguides at exactly chosen positions, thus forming discrete photonic waveguide arrays. One particular class of beams whose propagation is investigated in these arrays is constituted by optical vortices. These are light fields where the phase circles around a singular point, giving rise to a variety of fascinating propagation effects, such as ’vortex switching’ or the formation of vortex solitons.

In this contribution we present the creation of tailored photonic structures and analyze the propagation of photonic vortices therein. The discussion of our experimental results is supplemented by corresponding numerical simulations.