Dissipative Kerr solitons in optical microcavities enable various stable states involving multi-soliton and perfect soliton crystal (PSC)

leading to widespread applications. However

the triggering condition and switching dynamics of the PSC and multi-soliton states (MSs) remain unexplored

which makes it challenging to selectively trigger the PSC/MS state for distinct area. Here

we theoretically and experimentally investigate the realization and switching of multi-/single-soliton and PSC states by engineering the periodic intracavity potential field constructed by control laser in a high-Q microrod cavity. We show that

by varying the parameters of the control laser

the PSC and multi-/single-soliton states can be selectively excited

and the soliton dynamics depends on the chaotic regime. We establish a fundamental link between the PSC switching behavior with the transient chaotic regime. Using such relation

we also demonstrate the switching and dynamical phenomena involving the conversion between PSC and MS

and soliton crystal melting and recrystallization. Our work provides additional routes for manipulation of soliton temporal and spectral profiles in optical microcavity systems and enables soliton generation on demand with desired states inside a single device.