The dynamical complexity of optically injected semiconductor lasers

The real-time information processing and manipulation of electromagnetic waves using nonlinear Qptical techniques has resulted in a myriad of new applications in diverse fields such as quantum electronics, image processing, optical computing, adaptive optics, and nonlinear spectroscopy. In this paper, we review and explore the field, provide a historical perspective, analyze several of the nonlinear interactions useful for the generation of phase-conjugate replicas, and conclude with a brief survey of potential applications and suitable nonlinear media.

Nonlinear Optical Phase Conjugation

http://empslocal.ex.ac.uk/people/staff/smw206/my_papers/Opt_Comm_172_1999.pdf

A unifying view of bifurcations in a semiconductor laser subject to optical injection

Experimental measurements and a single‐mode analysis of a quantum‐well laser diode subject to strong optical injection are combined to demonstrate that the diode follows a period‐doubling route to chaos. All laser parameters used in this model, including the influence of spontaneous emission noise, were experimentally determined based on the four‐wave mixing technique. The transition to chaos can be used to reduce the uncertainty in the value of the linewidth enhancement factor.

Period‐doubling route to chaos in a semiconductor laser subject to optical injection

Guiding graduate students and researchers through the complex world of laser physics and nonlinear optics, this book provides an in-depth exploration of the dynamics of lasers and other relevant optical systems, under the umbrella of a unitary spatio-temporal vision. Adopting a balanced approach, the book covers traditional as well as special topics in laser physics, quantum electronics and nonlinear optics, treating them from the viewpoint of nonlinear dynamical systems. These include laser emission, frequency generation, solitons, optically bistable systems, pulsations and chaos and optical pattern formation. It also provides a coherent and up-to-date treatment of the hierarchy of nonlinear optical models and of the rich variety of phenomena they describe, helping readers to understand the limits of validity of each model and the connections among the phenomena. It is ideal for graduate students and researchers in nonlinear optics, quantum electronics, laser physics and photonics.

/pdf/nonlinear-optical-systems-4ejrhtmbak.pdf

Nonlinear Optical Systems

Self pulsing in a CO2 ring laser with an injected signal

A phase-conjugate signal has been obtained in SF6 with a peak reflectivity of 1.2 × 10−3 by using a cw CO2 laser operating on the P(16) line. The degenerate four-wave mixing spectrum exhibits a Doppler-free structure with 2-MHz resolution. When the reflectivity spectrum is compared with the saturated-absorption spectrum, matching peaks in the reflectivity spectrum are found over an 80-MHz bandwidth.

Doppler-free continuous-wave phase-conjugate spectrum of SF 6 by resonant degenerate four-wave mixing at 10.6 μm

High-power injection-locked CO2 ring waveguide oscillator-amplifier

It is shown experimentally and theoretically that axial gas flow leads to controlled unidirectional operation of a CO2 ring laser. The direction of emission, clockwise or counterclockwise, can be selected by a slight tuning of the laser cavity (∼1% of the free spectral range). The flow velocity required for complete mode extinction depends on the relative magnitudes of the Doppler and homogeneous line widths and is ∼10 m/sec when the two are comparable.

P. Cottin

Papers

Self pulsing in a CO2 ring laser with an injected signal

Doppler-free continuous-wave phase-conjugate spectrum of SF 6 by resonant degenerate four-wave mixing at 10.6 μm

High-power injection-locked CO2 ring waveguide oscillator-amplifier

Gas-flow-induced controlled unidirectional operation of a CO(2) ring laser.

High-power injection-locked CO 2 ring waveguide oscillator-amplifier