KERR SLICE-BASED NONLINEAR INTERFEROMETER WITH 2-DIMENSIONAL FEEDBACK- CONTROL OF ROLL AND HEXAGON FORMATION

We propose and analyze a nonlinear optical system that uses the combin ed effects of Kerr-like nonlinearity, interference, and diffraction in a two-dimensional optical feedback loop. By variation of the phase sh ift between interfering waves it is possible to control the quadratic nonlinear terms responsible for roll and hexagon pattern formation, gi ving three possible steady solutions: rolls and normal and inverted he xagons. Results of nonlinear analyses and numerical simulations are pr esented. (C) 1995 Optical Society of America