Abstract
In this paper, we have shown the existence of large amounts of quintic nonlinearity in asymmetric three-coupled quantum wells, which arise due to a probe pulse and two controlling laser beams. The possibilities of generation and propagation of ultraslow bright optical solitons in these systems have been examined in situations of both Kerr and quintic nonlinearities. We have also demonstrated numerically that these solitons are stable. The modulation instability of a continuous or quasi-continuous wave probe beam has been also investigated and the role of quintic nonlinearity in suppressing this instability has been addressed.