  In systems that exhibit a bistability between nonlinear traveling waves and
the basic state, pairs of fronts connecting these two states can form localized
wave pulses whose stability depends on the interaction between the fronts. We
investigate the localization of waves within the framework of coupled
Ginzburg-Landau equations describing the traveling-wave amplitudes. We find
that the introduction of resonant temporal forcing results in a new, tunable
mechanism for stabilizing such wave pulses. In contrast to other localization
mechanisms, the temporal forcing can achieve localization by a repulsive as
well as by an attractive interaction between the fronts. Systems for which the
results are expected to be relevant include binary-mixture convection and
electroconvection in nematic liquid crystals.

Pattern Formation and Solitons