Anomalous interactions of spatial gap solitons in optically induced photonic lattices

Opt Lett. 2011 Apr 1;36(7):1167-9. doi: 10.1364/OL.36.001167.

Abstract

We demonstrate coherent interactions between spatial gap solitons in optically induced photonic lattices. Because of the "staggered" phase structures, two in-phase (out-of-phase) bright gap solitons can repel (attract) each other at close proximity, in contrast to soliton interaction in homogeneous media. A reversal of energy transfer direction and a transition between attractive and repulsive interaction forces can be obtained solely by changing the initial soliton separation relative to the lattice spacing.