Trapping dynamics in nonlinear wave scattering by local guiding defects.

We study numerically the trapping dynamics of nonlinear waves scattered by local guiding photonic centers with normal eigenmodes which are embedded in uniform nonlinear Kerr waveguides. The linear and nonlinear scattering from a local defect may be treated from either a wave optics approach or a ray optics approach. The former provides a better understanding of the wave dynamics while the latter enables one to perform quasi-analytical estimates of the extent of trapping in a given structure.

Single beam mapping of nonlinear phase shift profiles in planar waveguides with an embedded mirror.

We demonstrate a technique for a single shot mapping of nonlinear phase shift profiles in spatial solitons that are formed during short pulse propagation through one-dimensional slab AlGaAs waveguides, in the presence of a focusing Kerr nonlinearity. The technique uses a single beam and relies on the introduction of a lithographically etched reflective planar mirror surface positioned in proximity to the beam's input position. Using this setup we demonstrate nonlinearity-induced sharp lateral phase variations for certain initial conditions, and creation of higher spatial harmonics when the beam is in close proximity to the mirror.