Generation of multicolor spatial solitons with pulsed light

The impact of temporal effects to the generation of multiple wave quadratic spatial solitons with pulsed light is shown. We examine soliton formation under conditions of second-harmonic generation but our conclusions are rele vant to soliton formation in all parametric processes. It is shown how grou p-velocity mismatch between the multiple interacting signals prevents spati al soliton formation with too short pulses. Illustrative examples of the mi nimum pulse width allowed for soliton generation in lithium niobate (LiNbO3 ), potassium titanyl phosphate (KTiOPO4), and lithium triborate (LiB3O5) ar e discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.