Nonlocality Induces Chains of Nested Localized Structures

Localized Structures often behave as quasi-particles and they may form molecules characterized by well-defined bond distances. In this paper 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 way similar to interlaced rings in a chain. We report experimental observations of these chains of nested localized structures in a time-delayed laser system.