Observation of a discrete family of dissipative solitons in a nonlinear optical system.
We report on the observation of a discrete family of spatial dissipative solitons in a simple optical pattern forming system, which is based on a modified single-mirror feedback arrangement. After a pitchfork bifurcation the system possesses two (nearly) equivalent coexisting states of different polarizations. The spatial solitons correspond to excursions from one of the two states serving as a background state towards the other one. The members of the soliton family differ in the number of high-amplitude radial oscillations. The observations are in good agreement with numerical simulations and general expectations for dissipative solitons.
Pesch
M
M
Institut für Angewandte Physik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstrasse 2/4, D-48149 Münster, Federal Republic of Germany.
Grosse Westhoff
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E
Ackemann
T
T
Lange
W
W