Propagation dynamics of optical vortices

Optical vortices in linear and nonlinear media may exhibit propagation dynamics similar to hydrodynamic vortex phenomena. Analytical and numerical methods are used to describe and investigate the interaction between vortices and the background field. We demonstrate that optical vortices that have quasi-point core functions, such as optical vortex solitons, may orbit one another at rates that are orders of magnitude larger than those with nonlocalized cores. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.