The Continuum Mechanics of Soliton Collisions

authored by

Oliver Melchert, Stephanie Willms, Ihar Babushkin, Bernhard Roth, Günter Steinmeyer, Uwe Morgner, Ayhan Demircan

Abstract

The wave-particle dualism is one of the most important paradigms of modern physics, often attributing a particle character to objects that are in principle waves. One such example is a soliton, representing a wave that can propagate over extended distances without changing its shape, resembling the trajectories of rigid mechanical bodies in Newtonian physics, even in a collision process [1]. However, this analogy has strong restrictions as still wave properties are required and more importantly only the trivial solution of the momentum conservation equation (exactly equal solitions) can be addressed. Here we take the analogy one decisive step further, discussing completely Newtonian soliton collisions, detached from the wave description. Moreover, we show that the solitons act like extended massive objects, which deform in accord with the continuum mechanical concept of classical theory of elasticity. The interaction offers a variety of possibilities for controlled exchange of energy and momentum, opening a perspective for new applications of solitons in optical switching or trapping.

Organisation(s)

PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines
Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies (HOT)
Institute of Quantum Optics

External Organisation(s)

Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy im Forschungsbund Berlin e.V. (MBI)

Type

Conference contribution

No. of pages

1

Publication date

06.2019

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Spectroscopy, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Instrumentation, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics, Computer Networks and Communications

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1109/CLEOE-EQEC.2019.8873143 (Access: Closed)