Semi-discrete composite solitons in arrays of quadratically nonlinear waveguides

Abstract

We demonstrate that an array of discrete waveguides on a slab substrate, both featuring the $\chi^{2}$ nonlinearity, supports stable solitons composed of discrete and continuous components. Two classes of fundamental composite solitons are identified: ones consisting of a discrete fundamental-frequency (FF) component in the waveguide array, coupled to a continuous second-harmonic (SH) component in the slab waveguide, and solitons with an inverted FF/SH structure. Twisted bound states of the fundamental solitons are found too. In contrast with usual systems, the \emph{intersite-centered} fundamental solitons and bound states with the twisted continuous components are stable, in an almost entire domain of their existence.