Dynamics of two-dimensional coherent structures in nonlocal nonlinear media

We study stability and dynamics of the single cylindrically symmetric solitary structures and dipolar solitonic molecules in spatially nonlocal media. The main properties of the solitons, vortex solitons, and dipolar solitons are investigated analytically and numerically. The vortices and higher-order solitons show the transverse symmetry-breaking azimuthal instability below some critical power. We find the threshold of the vortex soliton stabilization using the linear stability analysis and direct numerical simulations. The higher-order solitons, which have a central peak and one or more surrounding rings, are also demonstrated to be stabilized in nonlocal nonlinear media. Using direct numerical simulations, we find a class of radially asymmetric, dipolelike solitons and show that, at sufficiently high power, these structures are stable.