Nonlinear Localization of Dissipative Modulation Instability
Alexander U. Nielsen, Yiqing Xu, Caleb Todd, Michel Ferré, Marcel G. Clerc, Stéphane Coen, Stuart G. Murdoch, Miro Erkintalo
Abstract
Modulation instability (MI) in the presence of noise typically leads to an irreversible and complete disintegration of a plane wave background. Here we report on experiments performed in a coherently driven nonlinear optical resonator that demonstrate nonlinear localization of dissipative MI: formation of persisting domains of MI-driven spatiotemporal chaos surrounded by a stable quasi-plane-wave background. The persisting localization ensues from a combination of bistability and complex spatiotemporal nonlinear dynamics that together permit a locally induced domain of MI to be pinned by a shallow modulation on the plane wave background. We further show that the localized domains of spatiotemporal chaos can be individually addressed-turned on and off at will-and we explore their transport behavior as the strength of the pinning is controlled. Our results reveal new fundamental dynamics at the interface of front dynamics and MI, and offer a route for tailored patterns of noiselike bursts of light.