Web pattern formation in a spatially distributed nonlinear optical system

Summary form only given. Recent experimental work has demonstrated that optical pattern-forming systems with strong nonlinear effect can be designed based on large-scale arrays of optoelectronic feedback circuits. Using various synthetic nonlinearities and controllable spatial coupling, a variety of transversal optical patterns have been observed in this system. In this report, we present theoretical study of such a spatially distributed nonlinear optical model. We show the existence of web type patterns in this system with cosine-type nonlinearity. This new spatial structure emerges from clusters of localized states through a sequence of spatial bifurcations on increasing the control parameter of the system. The results are in good agreement with experimental observation.