Normal dispersion Kerr cavity solitons: beyond the mean field limit

We predict the existence of a novel type of temporal localized structure in injected Kerr-Gires-Tournois interferometers. These bright pulses exist in the normal dispersion regime, yet they do not correspond to the usual scenario of domain wall locking that induces complex shape multi-stability, weak stability as well as a reduced domain of existence. The new states are observed beyond the mean-field limit and out of the bistable region. Their shape is uniquely defined, with peak intensities beyond that of the upper steady state, and they are stable over a broad range of the injection field, highlighting their potential for optical frequency comb generation.