Nonlinear beam steering by fractional vortex dipoles

We study the ability of beams with complex phase dislocations to guide and steer signal beams in self-focusing nonlinear media. In particular, we report on the experimental demonstration of signal deflection by beams carrying step-screw phase dislocation in the form of a fractional vortex dipole. We show how the beam deflection can be ruled by the geometry and orientation of the dipole.