  We report on the first experimental observation of a novel type of optical
vector soliton, a {\em dipole-mode soliton}, recently predicted theoretically.
We show that these vector solitons can be generated in a photorefractive medium
employing two different processes: a phase imprinting, and a symmetry-breaking
instability of a vortex-mode vector soliton. The experimental results display
remarkable agreement with the theory, and confirm the robust nature of these
radially asymmetric two-component solitary waves.
