Holographic solitons

Abstract

We propose a new kind of an optical spatial soliton: the holographic soliton. This soliton consists of two mutually coherent field components that interfere, induce a periodic change in the refractive index, and simultaneously are Bragg diffracted from the grating. Holographic solitons are formed when the broadening tendency of diffraction is balanced by phase modulation that is due to Bragg diffraction from the induced grating. Holographic solitons are solely supported by cross-phase modulation arising from the induced grating, not involving self-phase modulation at all.