Guided Modes and Symmetry Breaking Supported by Localized Gain

Abstract

We review numerous physical phenomena which occur in one-and two-dimensional nonlinear media in the presence of localized gain-defects, and which recently attracted considerable attention. In particular, we discuss stable localized modes in media with linear and nonlinear dissipation; breathers which can be excited in the presence of more than one localized gain channels; vortices. We address the phenomenon of the symmetry breaking in one-and two-dimensional media, resulting in emergence of stable nonsymmetric modes, and analyze possibilities of guiding and switching of waves with help of guiding channels.