Bistability between different dissipative solitons in nonlinear optics

We report the observation of different localized structures coexisting for the same parameter values in an extended system. The experimental findings are carried out in a nonlinear optical interferometer, and are fully confirmed by numerical simulations. The existence of each kind of localized structure is put in relation to a corresponding delocalized pattern observed. Quantitative evaluation of the range of pump parameter allowing bistability between localized structures is given. The dependence of the phenomena on the other relevant parameters is discussed.