We demonstrate experimentally and theoretically (both analytically and numerically) a new type of spatial soliton: a rotating “propeller” soliton. This is a composite soliton made of a rotating dipole component jointly trapped with a bell-shaped component. We observe as much as 239° of rotation over 13 mm of propagation (6.5 diffraction lengths).

• Received 22 September 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.143901