Switching waves and dissipative structures in a chain of spasers

We have considered the physical mechanism of optical bistability in a spaser in the field of an external optical wave. We have studied the effect of this phenomenon on the dynamics of a 1D chain of coupled spasers. It is shown that such a chain demonstrates the behaviour typical of open nonlinear systems. In particular, for high Joule losses in a spaser, a nonlinear switching autowave propagates in the chain, thereby evolving the spasers' state from a low population inversion state into a high population inversion state or vice versa. The control parameter that determines the type of switching is the amplitude of the external optical wave. For low Joule losses there emerge quasi-periodic dissipative structures whose formation dynamics is of 'self-assembly' nature.