Spatiotemporal optical solitons in nonlinear dissipative media: from stationary light bullets to pulsating complexes

Abstract

Nonlinear dissipative systems display the full (3+1)D spatiotemporal dynamics of stable optical solitons. We review recent results that were obtained within the complex cubic-quintic Ginzburg-Landau equation model. Numerical simulations reveal the existence of stationary bell-shaped (3+1)D solitons for both anomalous and normal chromatic dispersion regimes, as well as the formation of double soliton complexes. We provide additional insight concerning the possible dynamics of these soliton complexes, consider collision cases between two solitons, and discuss the ways nonstationary evolution can lead to optical pattern formation. Show more