Numerical validation of the Complex Swift-Hohenberg equation for lasers

Order parameter equations, such as the complex Swift-Hohenberg (CSH) equation, offer a simplified and universal description that hold close to an instability threshold. The universality of the description refers to the fact that the same kind of instability produces the same order parameter equation. In the case of lasers, the instability usually corresponds to the emitting threshold, and the CSH equation can be obtained from the Maxwell-Bloch (MB) equations for a class C laser with small detuning. In this paper we numerically check the validity of the CSH equation as an approximation of the MB equations, taking into account that its terms are of different asymptotic order, and that, despite of having been systematically overlooked in the literature, this fact is essential in order to correctly capture the weakly nonlinear dynamics of the MB. The approximate distance to threshold range for which the CSH equation holds is also estimated.Comment: submitted to European Journal of Physic

Fluctuations and correlations in hexagonal optical patterns

We analyze the influence of noise in transverse hexagonal patterns in nonlinear Kerr cavities. The near field fluctuations are determined by the neutrally stable Goldstone modes associated to translational invariance and by the weakly damped soft modes. However these modes do not contribute to the far field intensity fluctuations which are dominated by damped perturbations with the same wave vectors than the pattern. We find strong correlations between the intensity fluctuations of any arbitrary pair of wave vectors of the pattern. Correlation between pairs forming 120 degrees is larger than between pairs forming 180 degrees, contrary to what a naive interpretation of emission in terms of twin photons would suggest.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figure

Spatiotemporal Chaos, Localized Structures and Synchronization in the Vector Complex Ginzburg-Landau Equation

We study the spatiotemporal dynamics, in one and two spatial dimensions, of two complex fields which are the two components of a vector field satisfying a vector form of the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. We find synchronization and generalized synchronization of the spatiotemporally chaotic dynamics. The two kinds of synchronization can coexist simultaneously in different regions of the space, and they are mediated by localized structures. A quantitative characterization of the degree of synchronization is given in terms of mutual information measures.Comment: 6 pages, using bifchaos.sty (included). 7 figures. Related material, including higher quality figures, could be found at http://www.imedea.uib.es/PhysDept/publicationsDB/date.html . To appear in International Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos (1999

Diffusion-Limited Coalescence with Finite Reaction Rates in One Dimension

We study the diffusion-limited process $A+A\to A$ in one dimension, with finite reaction rates. We develop an approximation scheme based on the method of Inter-Particle Distribution Functions (IPDF), which was formerly used for the exact solution of the same process with infinite reaction rate. The approximation becomes exact in the very early time regime (or the reaction-controlled limit) and in the long time (diffusion-controlled) asymptotic limit. For the intermediate time regime, we obtain a simple interpolative behavior between these two limits. We also study the coalescence process (with finite reaction rates) with the back reaction $A\to A+A$, and in the presence of particle input. In each of these cases the system reaches a non-trivial steady state with a finite concentration of particles. Theoretical predictions for the concentration time dependence and for the IPDF are compared to computer simulations. P. A. C. S. Numbers: 82.20.Mj 02.50.+s 05.40.+j 05.70.LnComment: 13 pages (and 4 figures), plain TeX, SISSA-94-0

Dipole-Mode Vector Solitons

We find a new type of optical vector soliton that originates from trapping of a dipole mode by a soliton-induced waveguide. These solitons, which appear as a consequence of the vector nature of the two component system, are more stable than the previously found optical vortex-mode solitons and represent a new type of extremely robust nonlinear vector structure.Comment: Four pages with five eps figure

Dynamics of localized structures in vector waves

Dynamical properties of topological defects in a twodimensional complex vector field are considered. These objects naturally arise in the study of polarized transverse light waves. Dynamics is modeled by a Vector Complex Ginzburg-Landau Equation with parameter values appropriate for linearly polarized laser emission. Creation and annihilation processes, and selforganization of defects in lattice structures, are described. We find "glassy" configurations dominated by vectorial defects and a melting process associated to topological-charge unbinding.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures included in the text. To appear in Phys. Rev. Lett. (2000). Related material at http://www.imedea.uib.es/Nonlinear and http://www.imedea.uib.es/Photonics . In this new version, Fig. 3 has been replaced by a better on

Spatial correlations in hexagons generated via a Kerr nonlinearity

We consider the hexagonal pattern forming in the cross-section of an optical beam produced by a Kerr cavity, and we study the quantum correlations characterizing this structure. By using arguments related to the symmetry broken by the pattern formation, we identify a complete scenario of six-mode entanglement. Five independent phase quadratures combinations, connecting the hexagonal modes, are shown to exhibit sub-shot-noise fluctuations. By means of a non-linear quantum calculation technique, quantum correlations among the mode photon numbers are demonstrated and calculated.Comment: ReVTeX file, 20 pages, 7 eps figure