The propagation of wave envelopes in two-dimensional (2-D) simple periodic lattices is studied. A discrete approximation, known as the tight-binding (TB) approximation, is employed to find the equations governing a class of nonlinear discrete envelopes in simple 2-D periodic lattices. Instead of using Wannier function analysis, the orbital approximation of Bloch modes that has been widely used in the physical literature, is employed. With this approximation the Bloch envelope dynamics associated with both simple and degenerate bands are readily studied. The governing equations are found to be discrete nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS)-type equations or coupled NLS-type systems. The coefficients of the linear part of the equations are related to the linear dispersion relation. When the envelopes vary slowly, the continuous limit of the general discrete NLS equations are effective NLS equations in moving frames. These continuous NLS equations (from discrete to continuous) also agree with those derived via a direct multiscale expansion. Rectangular and triangular lattices are examples.

The validity of using the tight-binding approximation for the nonlinear Schrödinger equations with a two-dimensional optical lattice is considered. This work provides a rigorous foundation for a technique based on “orbital” functions that is central to solid-state physics and nonlinear optics. Simple and honeycomb lattices are addressed, and it is therefore shown that the use of tight-binding approximations is justified in complicated situations.

The linear spectrum and corresponding Bloch modes of shallow honeycomb lattices near Dirac points are investigated. Via perturbation theory, the dispersion relation is found to have threefold degeneracy at leading order with eigenvalue splitting at the following two orders; i.e., the threefold eigenvalue splits into single and double values. Multiscale perturbation methods are employed to describe the nonlinear dynamics of the associated wave envelopes. The dynamics of the envelope depends on different asymptotic balances whereupon a three-level nonlinear Dirac-type equation or a two-level nonlinear Dirac equation is derived. The analysis agrees well with direct numerical simulations.

It is known that weak interactions of two solitary waves in generalized nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equations exhibit fractal dependence on initial conditions, and the dynamics of these interactions is governed by a universal two-degree-of-freedom ODE system [Y. Zhu J. Yang, Universal fractal structures in the weak interaction of solitary waves in generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equations, Phys. Rev. E 75 (2007) 036605]. In this paper, this ODE system is analyzed comprehensively. Using asymptotic methods along separatrix orbits, a simple second-order map is derived. This map does not have any free parameters after variable rescalings, and thus is universal for all weak interactions of solitary waves in generalized NLS equations. Comparison between this map’s predictions and direct simulations of the ODE system shows that the map can capture the fractal-scattering phenomenon of the ODE system very well both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Solitons of the power-energy saturation (PES) equation are studied using adiabatic perturbation theory. In the anomalous regime individual soliton pulses are found to be well approximated by solutions of the classical nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with the key parameters of the soliton changing slowly as they evolve. Evolution equations are found for the pulse amplitude(s), velocity(ies), position(s), and phase(s) using integral relations derived from the PES equation. The results from the integral relations are shown to agree with multi-scale perturbation theory. It is shown that the single soliton case exhibits mode-locking behavior for a wide range of parameters, while the higher states form effective bound states. Using the fact that there is weak overlap between tails of interacting solitons, evolution equations are derived for the relative amplitudes, velocities, positions, and phase differences. Comparisons of interacting soliton behavior between the PES equation and the classical NLS equation are also exhibited.