Optical wall dynamics induced by coexistence of monostable and bistable spatial regions.

When nonequilibrium extended homogeneous systems exhibit multistability, it leads to the presence of domain walls between the existing equilibria. Depending on the stability of the steady states, the dynamics differs. Here, we consider the interface dynamics in the case of a spatially inhomogeneous system, namely, an optical system where the control parameter is spatially Gaussian. Then interfaces connect the monostable and the bistable nonuniform states that are associated with two distinct spatial regions. The coexistence of these two regions of different stability induces relaxation dynamics and the propagation of a wall with a time-dependent speed. We emphasize analytically these two dynamical behaviors using a generic bistable model. Experimentally, an inhomogeneous Gaussian light beam traveling through either a dye-doped liquid crystal cell or a Kerr cavity depicts these behaviors, in agreement with the theoretical predictions.

Control and generation of drifting patterns by asymmetrical Fourier filtering.

We report the theoretical and experimental demonstration of one-dimensional drifting patterns generated by asymmetrical Fourier filtering in the transverse plane of an optical feedback system with a Kerr type nonlinearity. We show, with good agreement between our theoretical (analytics and numerics) calculations and experimental observations that at the primary instability threshold the group velocity is always different from zero. Consequently, the system is convective at this threshold, then exhibits drifting patterns.

Asymmetric counterpropagating fronts without flow.

Out-of-equilibrium systems exhibit domain walls between different states. These walls, depending on the type of connected states, can display rich spatiotemporal dynamics. In this Rapid Communication, we investigate the asymmetrical counterpropagation of fronts in an in-plane-switching cell filled with a nematic liquid crystal. Experimentally, we characterize the different front shapes and propagation speeds. These fronts present dissimilar elastic deformations that are responsible for their asymmetric speeds. Theoretically, using a phenomenological model, we describe the observed dynamics with fair agreement.

Zig-zag wall lattice in a nematic liquid crystal with an in-plane switching configuration.

Liquid crystals displays with tailoring electrodes exhibit complex spatiotemporal dynamics when a large voltage is applied. We report experimental observations of the appearance of a programmable zig-zag lattice using an in-plane-switching cell filled with a nematic liquid crystal. Applying a small voltage to a wide range of frequencies, the system exhibits an Ising wall lattice. Increasing the voltage, this lattice presents a spatial instability generating an undulating wall lattice, and to higher voltages it becomes zig-zag type. Experimentally, we characterize the bifurcations and phase diagram of the wall lattice. Theoretically, we develop, from first principles, a descriptive model. This model has a good qualitative agreement with experimental observations.

Emergence of spatiotemporal dislocation chains in drifting patterns.

One-dimensional patterns subjected to counter-propagative flows or speed jumps exhibit a rich and complex spatiotemporal dynamics, which is characterized by the perpetual emergence of spatiotemporal dislocation chains. Using a universal amplitude equation of drifting patterns, we show that this behavior is a result of a combination of a phase instability and an advection process caused by an inhomogeneous drift force. The emergence of spatiotemporal dislocation chains is verified in numerical simulations on an optical feedback system with a non-uniform intensity pump. Experimentally this phenomenon is also observed in a tilted quasi-one-dimensional fluidized shallow granular bed mechanically driven by a harmonic vertical vibration.

Photo-isomerization fronts in dye-doped nematic liquid crystals.

An experimental study of the photo-isomerization dynamics in dye-doped nematic crystals is reported, which shows that, when the sample is illuminated by a Gaussian beam, and for high enough input power, a transition from the nematic to the isotropic phase takes place in the illuminated area. The two phases are spatially connected via a front propagating outward from the center of the beam and following the local intensity profile and thus inducing a photo-controlled optical aperture. The optical intensity and temperature fields on the sample follow the same dynamical profile. The front dynamics is described by a phenomenological bi-stable model with an inhomogeneous control parameter, directly related to the beam intensity profile.