Interaction dynamics of X-waves in waveguide arrays

The interaction dynamics of X-waves in an AlGaAs waveguide array is theoretically considered. The nonlinear discrete diffraction dynamics of a waveguide array mediates the generation of spatio-temporal X-waves from pulsed initial conditions. The interactions between co-propagating and counter-propagating X-waves are studied. For the co-propagating case, the initial phase relation between the X-waves determine the attractive or repulsive behavior of the X-wave interaction. For the counter-propagating case, the collisions between X-waves generate a nonlinear phase-shift. These dynamics show that X-waves interact in a manner similar to solitons. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America