Dissipative solitons for bistable delayed-feedback systems

We study how nonlinear delayed-feedback in the Ikeda model can induce solitary impulses, i.e., dissipative solitons. The states are clearly identified in a virtual space-time representation of the equations with delay, and we find that conditions for their appearance are bistability of a nonlinear function and negative character of the delayed feedback. Both dark and bright solitons are identified in numerical simulations and physical electronic experiment, showing an excellent qualitative correspondence and proving thereby the robustness of the phenomenon. Along with single spiking solitons, a variety of compound soliton-based structures is obtained in a wide parameter region on the route from the regular dynamics (two quiescent states) to developed spatiotemporal chaos. The number of coexisting soliton-based states is fast growing with delay, which can open new perspectives in the context of information storage.