Spatial solitons in a medium composed of self-focusing and self-defocusing layers

We introduce a model combining Kerr nonlinearity with a periodically changing sign ("nonlinearity management") and a Bragg grating (BG). The main result, obtained by means of systematic simulations, is presented in the form of a soliton's stability diagram on the parameter plane of the model; the diagram turns out to be a universal one, as it practically does not depend on the soliton's power. Moreover, simulations of the nonlinear Schroedinger (NLS) model subjected to the same "nonlinearity management" demonstrate that the same diagram determines the stability of the NLS solitons, unless they are very narrow. The stability region of very narrow NLS solitons is much smaller, and soliton splitting is readily observed in that case. The universal diagram shows that a minimum non-zero average value of the Kerr coefficient is necessary for the existence of stable solitons. Interactions between identical solitons with an initial phase difference between them are simulated too in the BG model, resulting in generation of stable moving solitons. A strong spontaneous symmetry breaking is observed in the case when in-phase solitons pass through each other due to attraction between them.Comment: a latex text file and 9 eps files with figures. Physics Letters A, in pres

Source identities and kernel functions for deformed (quantum) Ruijsenaars models

We consider the relativistic generalization of the quantum $A_{N-1}$ Calogero-Sutherland models due to Ruijsenaars, comprising the rational, hyperbolic, trigonometric and elliptic cases. For each of these cases, we find an exact common eigenfunction for a generalization of Ruijsenaars analytic difference operators that gives, as special cases, many different kernel functions; in particular, we find kernel functions for Chalykh- Feigin-Veselov-Sergeev-type deformations of such difference operators which generalize known kernel functions for the Ruijsenaars models. We also discuss possible applications of our results.Comment: 24 page

Stable solitons in coupled Ginzburg-Landau equations describing Bose-Einstein condensates and nonlinear optical waveguides and cavities

We introduce a model of a two-core system, based on an equation of the Ginzburg-Landau (GL) type, coupled to another GL equation, which may be linear or nonlinear. One core is active, featuring intrinsic linear gain, while the other one is lossy. The difference from previously studied models involving a pair of linearly coupled active and passive cores is that the stabilization of the system is provided not by a linear diffusion-like term, but rather by a cubic or quintic dissipative term in the active core. Physical realizations of the models include systems from nonlinear optics (semiconductor waveguides or optical cavities), and a double-cigar-shaped Bose-Einstein condensate with a negative scattering length, in which the active ``cigar'' is an atom laser. The replacement of the diffusion term by the nonlinear loss is principally important, as diffusion does not occur in these physical media, while nonlinear loss is possible. A stability region for solitary pulses is found in the system's parameter space by means of direct simulations. One border of the region is also found in an analytical form by means of a perturbation theory. Moving pulses are studied too. It is concluded that collisions between them are completely elastic, provided that the relative velocity is not too small. The pulses withstand multiple tunneling through potential barriers. Robust quantum-rachet regimes of motion of the pulse in a time-periodic asymmetric potential are found as well.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure

The 4-beaches survey in Uganda: Nkombe Beach

This paper analyses the location, potentialities and set-backs of Nkombe Beach, the landing site chosen in Uganda for the 4-beaches survey

The quantum vacuum as the origin of the speed of light

We show that the vacuum permeability and permittivity may originate from the magnetization and the polarization of continuously appearing and disappearing fermion pairs. We then show that if we simply model the propagation of the photon in vacuum as a series of transient captures within these ephemeral pairs, we can derive a finite photon velocity. Requiring that this velocity is equal to the speed of light constrains our model of vacuum. Within this approach, the propagation of a photon is a statistical process at scales much larger than the Planck scale. Therefore we expect its time of flight to fluctuate. We propose an experimental test of this prediction.Comment: 6 pages, Accepted for publication in European Physical Journal D. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1111.1847, arXiv:1106.399

Micromedex: a brief review for a UK School of Pharmacy

Micromedex is one of the most popular tools used by pharmacists to provide medicines information. This paper outlines a brief review of the product to determine whether it would be suitable for use by undergraduates in a particular UK School of Pharmacy, that of UCL London