Dynamics of dissipative structures in coherently-driven Kerr cavities with a parabolic potential

By means of a modified Lugiato–Lefever equation model, we investigate the nonlinear dynamics of dissipative wave structures in coherently-driven Kerr cavities with a parabolic potential. This potential stabilizes the system dynamics, leading to the generation of robust dissipative solitons in the positive detuning regime, and of higher-order solitons in the negative detuning regime. In order to understand the underlying mechanisms which are responsible for these high-order states, we decompose the field on the basis of linear eigenmodes of the system. This permits to investigate the resulting nonlinear mode coupling processes. By increasing the external pumping, one observes the emergence of high-order breathers and chaoticons. Our modal content analysis reveals that breathers are dominated by modes of corresponding orders, while chaoticons exhibit proper chaotic dynamics. We characterize the evolution of dissipative structures by using bifurcation diagrams, and confirm their stability by combining linear stability analysis results with numerical simulations. Finally, we draw phase diagrams that summarize the complex dynamics landscape, obtained by varying the pump, the detuning, and the strength of the potential.