Complete characterization of (2 1)D soliton formation in photorefractive crystals with strong optical activity

Abstract

We analyse the (2 + 1)D soliton formation in photorefractive crystals with strong optical activity. The complete characterization of a soliton in such a crystal requires a careful determination of its polarization state. In fact, even if the beam experiences an homogeneous propagation, the polarization dynamics require it to reach a well defined state which has been identified on the Poincare sphere. Experimental results for the soliton intensity profile and for its polarization dynamics are in good agreement with numerical simulations.