Riemann problem for the photon fluid: self-steepening effects

Abstract

We consider the Riemann problem of evolution of initial discontinuities for the photon fluid propagating in a normal dispersion fiber with account of self-steepening effects. The dynamics of light field is described by the nonlinear Schroedinger (NLS) equation with self-steepening term appearing due to retardation of the fiber material response to variations of the electromagnetic signal. It is shown that evolution dynamics in this case is much richer than that for the NLS equation. Complete classification of possible wave structures is given for all possible jump conditions at the discontinuity.