Bistability between different localized structures in nonlinear optics

We report the observation of different localized structures coexisting for the same parameter values in an extended system. The experimental findings are carried out in a nonlinear optical interferometer and are fully confirmed by numerical simulations. The existence of each kind of localized structure is put in relation to a corresponding delocalized pattern observed. A quantitative evaluation of the range of pump parameter allowing bistability between localized structures is given. The phenomenon reported results to be robust in parameter space.