LAUSR

We investigate the inhomogeneous higher-order nonlinear Schrodinger (INHLS) equation including cubic–quintic–septic (CQS) nonlinear terms and gain or loss with variable coefficients. The exact analytic solution that describes dark soliton-type pulse propagation is found for the model by employing the ansatz method. Unlike the traditional $$\text {tanh}$$ dark soliton in Kerr-type media, the functional form of this novel dark-managed soliton structure takes a $$\text {sech}^{2/3}$$ profile. Parametric conditions are presented in which these optical solitons exist. We also investigated the stability of these dark-managed solitons under some initial perturbations by employing the numerical simulation methods. Finally, the interaction dynamics of two and three dark-managed solitons has been numerically explored.