Spatially localized structures arise frequently in nature. In this lecture I will describe a number of examples from different physical systems, followed by a discussion of the basic ideas behind the phenomenon of nonlinear self-localization that is responsible for their existence. I will illustrate these ideas using a simple phenomenological model and explain why the qualitative predictions of this model help us understand the properties of much more complicated systems exhibiting spatial localization.
If you are planning to attend the colloquium, we would also like to invite you join the speaker and the organisers for coffee/tea and pastries in the 5th Floor Huxley Common Room at 15:20.