Propagation dynamics of finite-energy Airy beams in nonlocal nonlinear atomic vapor

Abstract

We investigate the propagation properties of finite-energy Airy beams in nonlocal nonlinear atomic vapor. The nonlocality is caused by the transportation of optically excited atoms and described with a Green function. By conducting numerical simulation on Airy beams in the case of one-dimension, two-dimensions, and ring geometry, respectively, we find that the beams have a more stable shape and a longer propagation distance in the presence of nonlocality. The results show that the nonlocality can slow down the beams’ distortion induced by the self-focusing effect and contributes to a more stable propagation of Airy beams in the nonlinear media.