Solitons in geometric potentials

Abstract

We show that the geometrically-induced potential existing in undulated slab waveguides dramatically affects the properties of solitons. In particular, whereas solitons residing in the potential maxima do not feature power thresholds and are stable, their counterparts residing in the potential minima are unstable and may exhibit a power threshold for their existence. Additionally, the geometric potential is shown to supports stable multipole solitons that cannot be supported by straight waveguides. Finally, the geometric potential results in the appearance of the effective barriers that prevent transverse soliton motion.