Generation of arrays of spatiotemporal dissipative solitons by the phase modulation of a broad beam

Abstract

We propose a simple method for generating stable arrays of spatiotemporal solitons (STSs) in the three-dimensional cubic-quintic complex Ginzburg–Landau model. Using the fact that a spatiotemporal pulse can be easily split by out-of-phase modulation, we impose a periodic modulation on the broad pulse in the transverse plane by means of a phase mask. The modulation slices the pulse into a cluster of spatiotemporal jets, each evolving into a stable STS, if having enough energy. This method allows us to predict the generation of a broad variety of STS arrays structured according to a predefined configuration, including square-shaped, hexagonal, and quasi-crystalline arrays. Stable multilayer STSs can be created, too.