Synopses & Reviews
This book is devoted to the formation and dynamics of localized structures (vortices, solitons) and of extended patterns (stripes, hexagons, tilted waves) in nonlinear optical resonators such as lasers, optical parametric oscillators, and the like. Theoretical analysis is performed by deriving order parameter equations, and also through numerical integration of microscopic models of the systems under investigation. Experimental observations, and possible technological implementations of transverse optical patterns are also discussed. A comparison with patterns found in other nonlinear systems, both optical systems and extended systems in general, is given.
Table of Contents
Introduction.- Order parameter equations for lasers.- Order parameter equations for Optical Parametric Oscillators and Photorefractive Oscillators.- Zero detuning: laser hydrodynamics and optical vortices.- Finite detuning: Vortex sheets and vortex lattices.- Patterns in resonators with curved mirrors.- The restless vortex.- Domains and spatial solitons.- Subcritical solitons I: saturable absorber.- Subcritical solitons II: nonlinear resonance.- Phase domains and phase solitons.- Local activation-lateral inhibition mechanism: Turing patterns in nonlinear optics.- Three-Dimensional patterns.- Patterns and noise.- Conclusions.