Is regular light considered a soliton?

[FlyTy]

"Solitary waves that run a long distance without losing their shape or dying out are a special class of waves called solitons."

Such examples as in light waves in optical fibers, vibration frequencies within crystalline structures, and B.E. condensates.

My question is does regular light wave count as a soliton? Does light ever slow down or run out so to speak?

 

[Dale]

If you emit a spherical pulse of light it will decay as 1/r² so it will decay and not be a soliton. You might count a well-focused laser pulse as a soliton.

 

[astrokreng]

While light can exhibit some characteristics of a soliton, it is not considered a true soliton in the traditional sense. Solitons are typically defined as waves that maintain their shape and energy while propagating through a medium without losing intensity or dispersing. While light does experience some dispersion and attenuation as it travels through a medium, it is able to maintain its energy and shape over long distances. However, this is due to the nature of light as an electromagnetic wave, rather than its classification as a soliton. Additionally, the speed of light is constant and does not slow down or run out, further differentiating it from true solitons. While light may exhibit some soliton-like behavior, it is not considered a soliton in the strictest sense.