Pattern formation in the presence of an intrinsic polarization instability

Abstract

The interaction of pattern formation with an intrinsic polarization instability is studied in a modified single feedback mirror experiment. We report on hexagonal patterns in an inversion symmetric system which occur due to a symmetry-breaking polarization instability and on domain patterns which are stabilized by the modulational instability. For parameter values for which no symmetry breaking bifurcation occurs, we observe rhombic and triangular patterns.