Interactions of optical vortex solitons superimposed on different background beams

The interaction between two optical vortex solitons (OVS), formed on different background beams is analyzed numerically. Analogous to the one-dimensional case, vector OVS seem obtainable [12]. The relative topological charges of the interacting (off-axis) vortices are found to rule their propagation characteristics. Attraction is found in the case of equal charges, in contrast to the opposite case, where repulsion is present.