Generalized Darboux transformation and localized waves in coupled Hirota equations

•Generalized Darboux transformation and Nth-order localized wave solution.•Vector generalization of the first- and the second-order rogue wave.•Interactions between dark–bright solitons and rogue waves.•Interactions between breathers and rogue waves.

In this paper, we construct a generalized Darboux transformation to the coupled Hirota equations with high-order nonlinear effects like the third dispersion, self-steepening and inelastic Raman scattering terms. As application, an NNth-order localized wave solution on the plane backgrounds with the same spectral parameter is derived through the direct iterative rule. In particular, some semi-rational, multi-parametric localized wave solutions are obtained: (1) vector generalization of the first- and the second-order rogue wave solutions; (2) interactional solutions between a dark–bright soliton and a rogue wave, two dark–bright solitons and a second-order rogue wave; (3) interactional solutions between a breather and a rogue wave, two breathers and a second-order rogue wave. The results further reveal the striking dynamic structures of localized waves in complex coupled systems.