Gap and dark solitons in discrete photorefractive media with intensity-resonant nonlinearity

Abstract

Light propagation in one-dimensional nonlinear waveguide arrays with self-defocusing intensity-resonant nonlinearity is investigated theoretically. We study thoroughly conditions for existence and stability of both gap and discrete dark solitons. According to the linear stability analysis both fundamental types (on-site and intersite) of gap solitons may be stable. Discrete dark solitons are unstable except in the low-power regime and, depending on system parameters, evolve into either gray solitons, breathers, or background radiation. Mobility of these solitons is analyzed by the free energy concept: gap solitons are immobile but dark solitons can be easily set in motion.