Nonlocality Induces Chains of Nested Dissipative Solitons

Dissipative solitons often behave as quasiparticles, and they may form molecules characterized by well-defined bond distances. We show that pointwise nonlocality may lead to a new kind of molecule where bonds are not rigid. The elements of this molecule can shift mutually one with respect to the others while remaining linked together, in a manner similar to interlaced rings in a chain. We report experimental observations of these chains of nested dissipative solitons in a time-delayed laser system.