Pattern selection in passive and active nonlinear optical systems

J. B. Geddes, J. Lega, J. V. Moloney, R. A. Indik, E. M. Wright, W. J. Firth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The spontaneous emergence of patterns beyond some critical value of an external stress parameter, is illustrated with three examples from nonlinear optics. Counterpropagating beam patterns in an extended optically transparent system pose a challenging nonlinear boundary value problem for which self-focusing hexagons and self-defocusing squares are the preferred planforms. Polarization-induced patterns in a passive ring cavity represents a more manageable problem and rolls turn out to be the preferred planforms. Finally, a single longitudinal mode, wide-aperture Raman laser is shown to select a transverse traveling wave mode, which appears in the far-field as an off-axis emission. Complex order parameter equations are derived for each situation, and are used to illustrate how intrinsic symmetries play a role in pattern selection.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1261-1274
Number of pages14
JournalChaos, solitons and fractals
Volume4
Issue number8-9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • General Mathematics
  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Applied Mathematics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pattern selection in passive and active nonlinear optical systems'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this