Origin, bifurcation structure and stability of localized states in Kerr dispersive optical cavities

Abstract

Localized coherent structures can form in externally-driven dispersive optical cavities with a Kerr-type nonlinearity. Such systems are described by the Lugiato-Lefever equation, which supports a large variety of dynamical solutions. Here, we review our current knowledge on the formation, stability and bifurcation structure of localized structures in the one-dimensional Lugiato-Lefever equation. We do so by focusing on two main regimes of operation: anomalous and normal second-order dispersion. In the anomalous regime, localized patterns are organized in a homoclinic snaking scenario, which is eventually destroyed, leading to a foliated snaking bifurcation structure. In the normal regime, however, localized structures undergo a different type of bifurcation structure, known as collapsed snaking.