Bragg gap solitons in $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetric lattices with competing nonlinearity

Abstract

The effect of competing nonlinearity on beam dynamics in parity-time $(\mathcal{PT})$ symmetric potentials is investigated. By using numerical methods, the existence of gap solitons is demonstrated in the first Bragg gap of optical $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetric lattices with competing nonlinearity. Meanwhile, the stability of such solitons is analyzed through introducing a small perturbation to the solitary solutions. The abrupt annihilation of the solitons during propagation demonstrates the Bragg gap solitons in $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetric potentials are not stable. In comparison with the on-site gap solitons, the off-site gap solitons exhibit more robust properties during propagation.