Localized states in a nonlinear optical system with a binary-phase slice and a feedback mirror

We consider spatiotemporal dynamics in an optical system containing a thin film of nonlinear medium having binary-type refractive nonlinear response and a feedback mirror. Steady-state output transverse patterns consist of a set of localized states, and strongly depend on the initial spatial phase modulation (seeded phase image). These steady-state solution properties can be used for nonlinear image processing and edge detection. System dynamics are studied both theoretically and through numerical simulation.