Evolution equations for pulse propagation in nonlinear media

We show that the complex modified KdV (cmKdV) equation and generalized nonlinear Schr\"odinger (GNLS) equation belong to the Ablowitz, Kaup, Newell and Segur or so-called AKNS hierarchy. Both equations do not follow from the action principle and are nonintegrable. By introducing some auxiliary fields we obtain the variational principle for them and study their canonical structures. We make use of a coupled amplitude-phase method to solve the equations analytically and derive conditions under which they can support bright and dark solitary wave solutions.