Variational approach to spatial soliton formation in bulk nematic liquid crystal cells

We investigate the possibility of signal waveguiding, through the formation of spatial solitons in slab cells containing a nematic liquid crystal, biased externally by a quasi-static electric field. The model equations assume a non-local response on the coupling between the optical beam and the elastic properties of the molecules. A semi-analytical approach is achieved via the variational method. Comparison with numerical results from the full model equations is shown and the selection of suitable initial profiles, as far as stability is concerned, is investigated.