Integrated semiconductor laser with optical feedback: transition from short to long cavity regime

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Semiconductor Lasers
• Nonlinear Dynamics

Background:

• Semiconductor lasers with optical feedback exhibit complex dynamics.
• Controlling laser cavity regimes is crucial for applications.
• Understanding transitions between dynamic states is key.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate the operational regimes of a 4-section semiconductor laser with integrated optical feedback.
• To analyze the transition between short- and long-cavity dynamics.
• To characterize the dynamic behavior across different injection current levels.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 4-section semiconductor laser with integrated optical feedback.
• Systematically varied the laser injection current.
• Observed changes in laser output dynamics, including pulse packages and chaotic behavior.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated experimental control over short- and long-cavity laser operation.
• Observed a gradual transition from regular pulse packages to broadband chaos.
• Identified co-existing dynamics where relative power shifts between regimes.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms the ability to tune semiconductor laser dynamics via injection current.
• A transition from regular pulsing to chaos is achievable and gradual.
• Co-existing dynamics may be a general phenomenon in similar feedback systems.