Dynamics of periodically forced semiconductor laser with optical feedback

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear dynamics
• Laser physics
• Complex systems

Background:

• Semiconductor lasers with optical feedback exhibit complex behaviors.
• A recent proposal suggests these lasers operate as noise-driven excitable units.
• Understanding excitable systems is crucial in various scientific fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate the noise-driven excitable regime in semiconductor lasers with optical feedback.
• To compare experimental findings with predictions from a simplified theoretical model.
• To validate the proposed excitable unit behavior through rigorous analysis.

Main Methods:

• Experimental setup involving a periodically forced semiconductor laser with optical feedback.
• Development and utilization of a simple theoretical model for comparison.
• Application of topological analysis to compare experimental and theoretical data.

Main Results:

• Experimental data demonstrated behaviors consistent with a periodically forced excitable system.
• The simple model qualitatively reproduced key features of the experimental results.
• Topological analysis revealed significant similarities between experimental and theoretical solutions.

Conclusions:

• The study provides experimental evidence supporting the noise-driven excitable unit behavior in semiconductor lasers with optical feedback.
• The validated model offers a simplified yet effective tool for studying these complex laser dynamics.
• Topological analysis proves a robust method for comparing experimental and theoretical results in nonlinear systems.