Two-dimensional vector solitons in a cold atomic gas via electromagnetically induced transparency

Abstract

We investigate the formation and propagation of vector vortex solitons (VSs) and unipolar solitons (USs) in a cold coherent atomic gas with a Bessel lattice (BL). The system considered is a gas with a tripod level configuration. Owing to the big enhancement of Kerr nonlinearity contributed by the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), a weak vector vortex soliton can be effectively formed with ultraslow propagation velocity. We also demonstrate that the characteristics of two-dimensional VSs and USs can be controlled and manipulated by adjusting the parameters of BL. Results obtained may be useful for designing all-optical switches at low light levels.