Fundamental and second-order dark soliton solutions of 2- and 3-component Manakov equations in the defocusing regime

Abstract: We present exact multi-parameter families of soliton solutions for two- and three-component Manakov equations in the \emph{defocusing} regime. Existence diagrams for such solutions in the space of parameters are presented. Fundamental soliton solutions exist only in finite areas on the plane of parameters. Within these areas, the solutions demonstrate rich spatio-temporal dynamics. The complexity increases in the case of 3-component solutions. The fundamental solutions are dark solitons with complex oscillating patterns in the individual wave components. At the boundaries of existence, the solutions are transformed into plain (non-oscillating) vector dark solitons. The superposition of two dark solitons in the solution adds more frequencies in the patterns of oscillating dynamics. These solutions admit degeneracy when the eigenvalues of fundamental solitons in the superposition coincide.