A review on dissipative optical solitons: A route to photo-bot

Abstract

The article delves into the intriguing realm of soliton molecules in the dissipative systems where we initially discuss the formation of solitons in optical fibers and their fundamental dynamics within integrable models. It then sheds light on dissipative nonlinear optical cavities and fiber lasers, lauded as ideal testbeds for studying the complex and captivating dynamics of dissipative solitons. The review comprehensively examines research on dissipative optical dynamics, encompassing dissipative solitons, soliton molecules, complexes, and crystals. The article illuminates research on light bullets in nonlinear dissipative systems in the remarkable discovery of spatiotemporal soliton molecules and (3 + 1)D soliton crystals. Finally, it emphasizes how a deep understanding and control over the dynamics of soliton molecules could unlock the potential for optimizing “quasi-intelligence” within these intriguing light formations. Building upon the past and recent breakthroughs, we propose the concept of “Photo-bots” – intelligence in interacting solitons and soliton molecules, inspired by nanobots. In contrast to nanobots, which are physical machines interacting with molecules through physical or chemical means, photo-bots are highly controlled and localized light that could play an indispensable role at the quantum level and can modulate the quantum states of atoms and molecules and promises to have several other advanced applications.