Steering and guiding light with light in a nanosuspension

We experimentally demonstrate guiding of a low-power probe beam (633 nm wavelength) by means of a light-induced waveguide generated by the self-focusing of a strong pump beam (532 nm wavelength) in an artificial nonlinear medium, constituted by a colloidal suspension of dielectric nanoparticles. We also demonstrate optical steering of the probe beam by controlling the direction of propagation of the pump beam. The distance over which guiding is demonstrated (5 mm) is remarkably long when compared with previous experiments.