Observation of three-dimensional discrete-continuous X waves in photonic lattices

We report on the generation of three-dimensional discrete X waves in a femtosecond laser-written waveguide array. Our measurements constitute the first experimental observation of temporally localized three-dimensional discrete-continuous entities. The X waves spontaneously emerge from a single-site excitation due to the discrete diffraction of the lattice and the normally dispersive as well as cubically nonlinear properties of the fused silica used as host material.