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[en] We introduce two- and one-dimensional (1D) models of a binary BEC (Bose-Einstein condensate) in a periodic potential, with repulsive interactions. We chiefly consider the most fundamental case of the interspecies repulsion with zero intraspecies interactions. The same system may also model a mixture of two mutually repulsive fermionic species. Existence and stability regions for gap solitons (GSs) supported by the interplay of the interspecies repulsion and periodic potential are identified. Two-component GSs are constructed by means of the variational approximation (VA) and in a numerical form. The VA provides an accurate description for the GS which is a compound state of two tightly bound components, each essentially trapped in one cell of the periodic potential. GSs of this type dominate in the case of intragap solitons, with both components belonging to the first finite bandgap of the linear spectrum (only this type of solitons is possible in a weak lattice). Intergap solitons, with one component residing in the second bandgap, and intragap solitons which have both components in the second gap, are possible in a deeper periodic potential, with the strength essentially exceeding the recoil energy of the atoms. Intergap solitons are, typically, bound states of one tightly and one loosely bound component. In this case, results are obtained in a numerical form. The number of atoms in experimentally relevant situations is estimated to be ∼5000 in the 2D intragap soliton, and ∼25 000 in its intergap counterpart; in 1D solitons, it may be up to 10⁵. For 2D solitons, the stability is identified in direct simulations, while in the 1D case it is done via eigenfrequencies of small perturbations, and then verified by simulations. In the latter case, if the intragap soliton in the first bandgap is weakly unstable, it evolves into a stable breather, while unstable solitons of other types (in particular, intergap solitons) get completely destroyed. The intragap 2D solitons in the first bandgap are less robust, and in some cases they are completely destroyed by the instability. Addition of intraspecies repulsion to the repulsion between the components leads to further stabilization of the GSs

[en] We introduce a system of phenomenological equations for Bose-Einstein condensates of magnons in the one-dimensional setting. The nonlinearly coupled equations, written for amplitudes of the right- and left-traveling waves, combine basic features of the Gross-Pitaevskii and complex Ginzburg-Landau models. They include localized source terms to represent the microwave magnon-pumping field. With the source represented by the δ functions, we find analytical solutions for symmetric localized states of the magnon condensates. We also predict the existence of asymmetric states with unequal amplitudes of the two components. Numerical simulations demonstrate that all analytically found solutions are stable. With the δ-function terms replaced by broader sources, the simulations reveal a transition from the single-peak stationary symmetric states to multipeak ones, generated by the modulational instability of extended nonlinear-wave patterns. In the simulations, symmetric initial conditions always converge to symmetric stationary patterns. On the other hand, asymmetric inputs may generate nonstationary asymmetric localized solutions, in the form of traveling or standing waves. Comparison with experimental results demonstrates that the phenomenological equations provide for a reasonably good model for the description of the spatiotemporal dynamics of magnon condensates.

[en] Starting with a Gaussian variational ansatz, we predict anisotropic bright solitons in quasi-2D Bose-Einstein condensates consisting of atoms with dipole moments polarized perpendicular to the confinement direction. Unlike isotropic solitons predicted for the moments aligned with the confinement axis [Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 200404 (2005)], no sign reversal of the dipole-dipole interaction is necessary to support the solitons. Direct 3D simulations confirm their stability

[en] We review recent theoretical results concerning the existence, stability and unique features of families of bright vortex solitons (doughnuts or 'spinning' solitons) in both conservative and dissipative cubic-quintic nonlinear media. (authors)

[en] We predict the existence of stable fundamental and vortical bright solitons in dipolar Bose–Einstein condensates with repulsive dipole–dipole interactions (DDI). The condensate is trapped in the two-dimensional plane with the help of the repulsive contact interactions whose local strength grows ∼r⁴ from the centre to periphery, while dipoles are oriented perpendicular to the self-trapping plane. The confinement in the perpendicular direction is provided by the usual harmonic-oscillator potential. The objective is to extend the recently induced concept of the self-trapping of bright solitons and solitary vortices in the pseudopotential, which is induced by the repulsive local nonlinearity with the strength growing from the centre to periphery, to the case when the trapping mechanism competes with the long-range repulsive DDI. Another objective is to extend the analysis for elliptic vortices and solitons in an anisotropic nonlinear pseudopotential. Using the variational approximation and numerical simulations, we construct families of self-trapped modes with vorticities ℓ = 0 (fundamental solitons), ℓ = 1 and ℓ = 2. The fundamental solitons and vortices with ℓ = 1 exist up to respective critical values of the eccentricity of the anisotropic pseudopotential, being stable in the entire existence regions. The vortices with ℓ = 2 are stable solely in the isotropic model. (paper)

[en] We propose a way to control solitons in χ⁽²⁾ (quadratically nonlinear) systems by means of periodic modulation imposed on the phase-mismatch parameter ('mismatch management', MM). It may be realized in the cotransmission of fundamental-frequency (FF) and second-harmonic (SH) waves in a planar optical waveguide via a long-period modulation of the usual quasi-phase-matching pattern of ferroelectric domains. In an altogether different physical setting, the MM may also be implemented by dint of the Feshbach resonance in a harmonically modulated magnetic field in a hybrid atomic-molecular Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), with the atomic and molecular mean fields (MFs) playing the roles of the FF and SH, respectively. Accordingly, the problem is analyzed in two different ways. First, in the optical model, we identify stability regions for spatial solitons in the MM system, in terms of the MM amplitude and period, using the MF equations for spatially inhomogeneous configurations. In particular, an instability enclave is found inside the stability area. The robustness of the solitons is also tested against variation of the shape of the input pulse, and a threshold for the formation of stable solitons is found in terms of the power. Interactions between stable solitons are virtually unaffected by the MM. The second method (parametric approximation), going beyond the MF description, is developed for spatially homogeneous states in the BEC model. It demonstrates that the MF description is valid for large modulation periods, while, at smaller periods, non-MF components acquire gain, which implies destruction of the MF under the action of the high-frequency MM

[en] We study the dynamics of one-dimensional solitons in attractive and repulsive Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) loaded into an optical lattice (OL), which is combined with an external parabolic potential. First, we demonstrate analytically that, in the repulsive BEC, where the soliton is of the gap type, its effective mass is negative. This gives rise to a prediction for the experiment: such a soliton cannot be held by the usual parabolic trap, but it can be captured (performing slow harmonic oscillations, with a period that is estimated to be ∼0.01 s in realistic experimental conditions) by an anti-trapping inverted parabolic potential. We also study the motion of the soliton in a long system, concluding that, in the cases of both the positive and negative mass, it moves freely, provided that its amplitude is below a certain critical value; above it, the soliton's velocity decreases due to interaction with the OL. At a later stage, the damped motion becomes chaotic. We also investigate the evolution of a two-soliton pulse in the attractive model. The pulse generates a persistent breather, if its amplitude is not too large; otherwise, fusion into a single fundamental soliton takes place. Collisions between two solitons captured in the parabolic trap or anti-trap are considered too. Depending on their amplitudes and phase difference, the solitons either perform stable oscillations, colliding indefinitely many times, or merge into a single soliton. Effects reported in this work for BECs can also be formulated for optical solitons in nonlinear photonic crystals. In particular, the capture of the negative-mass soliton in the anti-trap implies that a bright optical soliton in a self-defocusing medium with a periodic structure of the refractive index may be stable in an anti-waveguide

[en] We study the dynamics of nonlinear localized excitations ('solitons') in two-dimensional (2D) Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) with repulsive interactions, loaded into an optical lattice (OL), which is combined with an external parabolic potential. First, we demonstrate analytically that a broad ('loosely bound', LB) soliton state, based on a 2D Bloch function near the edge of the Brillouin zone (BZ), has a negative effective mass (while the mass of a localized state is positive near the BZ centre). The negative-mass soliton cannot be held by the usual trap, but it is safely confined by an inverted parabolic potential (anti-trap). Direct simulations demonstrate that the LB solitons (including those with intrinsic vorticity) are stable and can freely move on top of the OL. The frequency of the elliptic motion of the LB-soliton's centre in the anti-trapping potential is very close to the analytical prediction which treats the solition as a quasi-particle. In addition, the LB soliton of the vortex type features real rotation around its centre. We also find an abrupt transition, which occurs with the increase of the number of atoms, from the negative-mass LB states to tightly bound (TB) solitons. An estimate demonstrates that for the zero-vorticity states, the transition occurs when the number of atoms attains a critical number N_cr ∼ 10³, while for the vortex the transition takes place at N_cr ∼ 5 x 10³ atoms. The positive-mass LB states constructed near the BZ centre (including vortices) can also move freely. The effects predicted for BECs also apply to optical spatial solitons in bulk photonic crystals

[en] We consider the three-dimensional (3D) mean-field model for the Bose–Einstein condensate, with a one-dimensional (1D) nonlinear lattice (NL), which periodically changes the sign of the nonlinearity along the axial direction, and the harmonic-oscillator trapping potential applied in the transverse plane. The lattice can be created as an optical or magnetic one, by means of available experimental techniques. The objective is to identify stable 3D solitons supported by the setting. Two methods are developed for this purpose: the variational approximation, formulated in the framework of the 3D Gross–Pitaevskii equation, and the 1D nonpolynomial Schrödinger equation (NPSE) in the axial direction, which allows one to predict the collapse in the framework of the 1D description. Results are summarized in the form of a stability region for the solitons in the plane of the NL strength and wavenumber. Both methods produce a similar form of the stability region. Unlike their counterparts supported by the NL in the 1D model with the cubic nonlinearity, kicked solitons of the NPSE cannot be set in motion, but the kick may help to stabilize them against the collapse, by causing the solitons to shed the excess norm. A dynamical effect specific to the NL is found in the form of freely propagating small-amplitude wave packets emitted by perturbed solitons. (paper)