1.1 Non-linear laser dynamics

 

 

 

Semiconductor lasers that receive coherent optical feedback from their own output are very exciting configurations not only from the viewpoint of nonlinear dynamics, but also for their potential to support novel applications. Optical feedback is practically the process in which a part of the laser’s output field reflected by a mirror in distance is re-injected into the laser’s active region. The optical feedback system is a phase-sensitive delayed-feedback autonomous system for which all three known routes, namely, period-doubling, quasi-periodicity, and route to chaos through intermittency can be found. Many types of lasers (edge-emitting semiconductor lasers such as Fabry–Perot, MQW, and DFB) exhibit such dynamics. Another alternative method to cause instabilities and chaos dynamics in semiconductor lasers is by optical injection systems, in which the optical output of an independent driving laser is fed into the laser of importance in order to destabilize it and under specific conditions force it to oscillate in the chaotic regime. A semiconductor laser with an applied delayed optoelectronic feedback loop is also an efficient technique of broadband chaos generation. In such a configuration, a combination of photodetector and a broadband electrical amplifier is used to convert the optical output of the laser into an electrical signal that is fed back through an electrical loop to the laser by adding it to the injection current.

Our group has work for over a decade in such semiconductor laser systems with inherent instabilities, investigating applications that target on secure communications and hardware signal encryption and recovery. Within the implemented activities, photonic integrated circuits with controllable instabilities in the optical emission profile have been designed and fabricated (outsourcing) to support the above applications.

 

Related projects:

  • OCCULT
  • PICASSO

 

Significant publications: 

  • A. Bogris, A. Argyris, D. Syvridis, "Analysis of the Optical Amplifier Noise Effect on Electrooptically Generated Hyperchaos", IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, vol. 47, n. 7, pp. 552-559, July 2007.
  • A. Argyris, K.E. Chlouverakis, A. Bogris and D. Syvridis, "SOA-induced Noise Effects on Chaos Generation and Synchronization of Semiconductor Lasers", IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 19, n. 20, 1667-1669, October 2007.
  • A. Argyris, K.E. Chlouverakis, A. Bogris, M. Hamacher and D. Syvridis, “A Novel Photonic Integrated Device for Chaos Applications in Communications”, Physical Review Letters, vol. 100, 194101, May 2008.
  • K.E. Chlouverakis, A. Argyris, A. Bogris and D. Syvridis, "Hurst exponents and cyclic scenarios in a photonic integrated circuit," Physical Review E, vol. 78, 066215, December 2008.
  • C. Mesaritakis, A. Argyris, C. Simos, H. Simos, A. Kapsalis, I. Krestnikov and D. Syvridis, “Chaotic emission and tunable self-sustained pulsations in a two-section Fabry–Perot quantum dot laser”, Applied Physics Letters, vol. 98, 051104, February 2011.