Control of localized structures in an optical feedback interferometer

We report a detailed experimental investigation of the dependence of localized structures, observed in a nonlinear optical device, on several control parameters. A first step of the study consists in the determination of the region of existence of localized states as a function of the system variables. Subsequently, we show how different control parameters can be used to the aim of tuning several localized structures properties; among these, of particular relevance are the contrast and the amplitude and frequency of the oscillations appearing on the tails of the structures. A discussion of the relation between the localized states here studied and the one predicted by general model for pattern forming systems is also given.