Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Fabrication And Characterization Of Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides And Cavities
Published on: November 30, 2012
Optical spatial shock waves in photorefractive media
Carvalho1, Grandpierre, Christodoulides
1Department of Electrical Engineering and Computers, Oporto University, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
Abstract:
We show that the evolution equations describing the two-wave mixing interaction between two codirectional optical beams in photorefractive media can allow spatial shock-wave solutions. Our analysis indicates that these kink-type wavefronts move together at an angle that falls outside the initial +/-straight theta sector of propagation. The apparent direction of propagation and the spatial widths of these optical shock-wave beams are directly related to their relative intensity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Interference and Diffraction
Propagation of Waves
Consider a scenario where a wave propagates from a string of low linear mass density to a string of high linear mass density. In such a case, the reflected wave is out of phase with respect to the incident wave, however the...
Shock Waves
When the source's speed approaches the speed of sound, constructive interference between successive wavefronts emitted by the source occurs immediately behind it. Initially, scientists believed that this constructive interference would result in such high pressures...

