Particlelike Behavior of Topological Defects in Linear Wave Packets in Photonic Graphene

Topological defects, such as quantum vortices, determine the properties of quantum fluids. Their study has been at the center of activity in solid state and BEC communities. In parallel, the nontrivial behavior of linear wave packets with complex phase patterns was investigated by singular optics. Here, we study the formation, evolution, and interaction of optical vortices in wave packets at the Dirac point in photonic graphene. We show that while their exact behavior goes beyond the Dirac equation and requires a full account of the lattice properties, it can be still approximately described by an effective theory considering the phase singularities as "particles". These particles are capable of mutual interaction, with their trajectory obeying the laws of dynamics.