  We theoretically and experimentally generate stationary crescent surface
solitons pinged to the boundary of a micro-structured vertical cavity surface
emission laser by using the intrinsic cavity mode as a background potential.
Instead of a direct transition from linear to nonlinear cavity modes, we
demonstrate the existence of a symmetry-breaking crescent waves without any
analogs in the linear limit. Our results provide an alternative and general
method to control lasing characteristics as well as to study optical surface
waves.
