Chimera-like states in an array of coupled-waveguide resonators

Abstract

We consider coupled-waveguide resonators subject to optical injection. The dynamics of this simple device are described by the discrete Lugiato-Lefever equation. We show that chimera-like states can be stabilized, thanks to the discrete nature of the coupled-waveguide resonators. Such chaotic localized structures are unstable in the continuous Lugiato-Lefever model; this is because of dispersive radiation from the tails of localized structures in the form of two counter-propagating fronts between the homogeneous and the complex spatiotemporal state. We characterize the formation of chimera-like states by computing the Lyapunov spectra. We show that localized states have an intermittent spatiotemporal chaotic dynamical nature. These states are generated in a parameter regime characterized by a coexistence between a uniform steady state and a spatiotemporal intermittency state.