Vortex lattice solitons supported by localized gain

We show that localized gain supports the existence of dissipative vortex solitons in periodic Kerr media with strong two-photon absorption. Vortex solitons exist in both focusing and defocusing media, with their propagation constants emerging from semi-infinite or finite gaps in the lattice spectrum. Coincidence of the discrete rotational symmetries of the gain landscape and refractive index distribution is a necessary condition for exciting vortex solitons, which otherwise transform into stable dissipative multipoles.