Spatial distribution clamping of discrete spatial solitons due to three photon absorption in AlGaAs waveguide arrays

We observe clamping of the output spatial light distribution of a waveguide array. Using a chirped pulse amplifier we reach peak intensities in the waveguides of similar to 24 GW/cm(2). At this level, three photon absorption in the AlGaAs material clamps the discrete spatial soliton to a set distribution. Further increase in intensity does not change the distribution. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America