Spatial vector solitons in a four-level tripod-type atomic system

Abstract

We study the generation of weak-light spatial vector solitons in a cold tripod-type atomic system. The condition of generating spatial vector solitons is discussed by analyzing the linear and nonlinear properties of the system. Due to the balance between the enhanced self-phase and cross-phase modulation of the Kerr nonlinearity and the diffraction effect, two orthogonal polarization components of the weak-light probe field can form various spatial vector solitons in the atomic system, such as bright-bright vector solitons and dark-dark vector solitons. We also demonstrate the possibility of generating Manakov spatial vector solitons in this atomic system.