We have studied experimentally and numerically spontaneous transvere pattern formation in a single feedback experiment using an optically addressable liquid crystal light valve in the polarization mode as a nonlinear optical element. Scaling behaviour has been found and transitions between different types of patterns have been observed which can be easily controlled by the bias voltage of the liquid crystal light valve. In a certain range of this control parameter we have investigated the evolution of bright solitary spots showing noncritical slowing down in the switching characteristics. This tlynamical behaviour is related to the existence of an unstable branch which separates the basins of attraction of two stable states.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.