Anomalous interactions of spatial gap solitons in optically induced photonic lattices

We demonstrate coherent interactions between spatial gap solitons in optically induced photonic lattices. Because of the "staggered" phase structures, two in-phase (out-of-phase) bright gap solitons can repel (attract) each other at close proximity, in contrast to soliton interaction in homogeneous media. A reversal of energy transfer direction and a transition between attractive and repulsive interaction forces can be obtained solely by changing the initial soliton separation relative to the lattice spacing.