Observation of discrete vortex solitons in optically-induced photonic lattices

Abstract

We report on the frst experimental observation of discrete vortex solitons in two-dimensional optically-induced photonic lattices. We demonstrate strong stabilization of an optical vortex by the lattice in a self-focusing nonlinear medium and study the generation of the discrete vortices from a broad class of singular beams.Comment: 4pages, 5 colour figures. to appear in PR