Splitting broad beams into arrays of dissipative spatial solitons by material and virtual gratings

We elaborate two generic methods for producing two-dimensional (2D) spatial soliton arrays (SSAs) in the framework of the cubic-quintic (CQ) complex Ginzburg-Landau (CGL) model. The first approach deals with a broad beam launched into the dissipative nonlinear medium which is equipped with an imprinted grating of a sufficiently sharp form. The beam splits into a cluster of jets, each subsequently self-trapping into a stable soliton, if the power is sufficient. We consider two kinds of sharp gratings - 'raised-cosine' (RC) and Kronig-Penney (KP) lattices - and two types of input beams: fundamental and vortical. By selecting appropriate parameters, this method makes it possible to create various types of soliton arrays, such as solid, annular (with single and double rings) and cross-shaped ones. The second method uses a 'virtual lattice', in the form of a periodic transverse phase modulation imprinted into the broad beam which is passed through an appropriate phase mask and then shone into a uniform nonlinear medium. Two different types of masks are considered; in the form of a 'checkerboard' or 'tilings'. In these cases, broad fundamental and vortical beams may also evolve into stable SSAs if the beam power and spacing of the virtual phase lattice are large enough. By means of the latter technique, square-shaped, hexagonal and quasi-crystalline SSAs can be created.