Izdebskaya, Yana VDesyatnikov, Anton SAssanto, GaetanoKivshar, Yuri2016-04-262016-04-261094-4087http://hdl.handle.net/1885/101118We demonstrate self-trapped laser beams carrying phase singularities in nematic liquid crystals. We experimentally observe the astigmatic transformation of vortex beams into spiraling dipole azimuthons accompanied by power-dependent charge-flipping of the on-axis phase singularity. The latter topological reactions involve triplets of vortex lines and resemble pitchfork bifurcations.We acknowledge support from the Australian Research Council and thank G. Molina-Terriza, E. Abramochkin, and W. Krolikowski for useful discussions.10 pages© 2011 Optical Society of AmericaSpatial solitonsOptical vorticesLiquid crystals2011-10-2410.1364/OE.19.0214572016-06-14