PROPAGATION DYNAMICS OF OPTICAL VORTICES

Optical vortices in linear and nonlinear media may exhibit propagation dynamics similar to hydrodynamic vortex phenomena. Analytical and num erical methods are used to describe and investigate the interaction be tween vortices and the background field. We demonstrate that optical v ortices that have quasi-point core functions, such as optical vortex s olitons, may orbit one another at rates that are orders of magnitude l arger than those with nonlocalized cores. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.