Vortex solitons in star networks

Abstract

I consider vortex solitons in two-dimensional star networks created by several one-dimensional line waveguide arrays (or rays) brought in close proximity. First waveguide in each array belongs to the ring of certain radius and its modal field overlaps with modal fields of waveguides from other rays laying on this ring, as well as with modal fields of waveguides in this line array. This creates a system with discrete rotational symmetry that is capable of supporting various localized linear vortex states due to local coupling between waveguides on the central ring, where line arrays approach each other. Localized vortex states emerge from the continuum of the states extended along the rays of the structure upon variation of the radius of the central ring. I show how different vortex modes with progressively increasing topological charges emerge when the number of rays in structure and, therefore, its discrete rotational symmetry increases. Each such linear localized mode gives rise to a family of thresholdless vortex solitons in nonlinear optical medium, whose topological charges are limited by the discrete rotational symmetry of the system. Vortex solitons in star networks exhibit qualitatively different behavior with increasing power depending on whether the propagation constant of linear vortex that gives rise to a family of solitons is located above or below the band of extended states. Stability properties of vortex solitons nontrivially depend on their topological charge and discrete rotational symmetry of the system, showing very different picture from usual ring-like waveguide arrays.