Phase defects in a nonlinear Fabry-Pérot resonator

Abstract Optical phase singularities have been observed in a nonlinear Fabry-Perot, with a nematic liquid crystal film serving as dispersive-nonlinear medium. The singularities appear as a concomitant phenomenon of low-complexity amplitude pattern formation. While creation and motion of the singularities is strongly related to the amplitude pattern, the latter one seems not to be significantly influenced by the singularities.