The general coupled Hirota equations: modulational instability and higher-order vector rogue wave and multi-dark soliton structures.

The general coupled Hirota equations are investigated, which describe the wave propagations of two ultrashort optical fields in a fibre. Firstly, we study the modulational instability for the focusing, defocusing and mixed cases. Secondly, we present a unified formula of high-order rational rogue waves (RWs) for the focusing, defocusing and mixed cases, and find that the distribution patterns for novel vector rational RWs of focusing case are more abundant than ones in the scalar model. Thirdly, the th-order vector semirational RWs can demonstrate the coexistence of th-order vector rational RWs and breathers. Fourthly, we derive the multi-dark-dark solitons for the defocsuing and mixed cases. Finally, we derive a formula for the coexistence of dark solitons and RWs. These results further enrich and deepen the understanding of localized wave excitations and applications in vector nonlinear wave systems.