Nonlinear dynamics of solitary and optically injected two-element laser arrays with four different waveguide...

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear dynamics
• Laser physics
• Optical engineering

Background:

• Laser arrays exhibit complex nonlinear dynamics influenced by design parameters.
• Understanding dynamic instability is crucial for laser array applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the nonlinear dynamics of solitary and optically injected two-element laser arrays.
• To map dynamic instability regions across various waveguide structures.
• To investigate the impact of optical injection on array dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Direct numerical simulation with high-resolution dynamic maps.
• One- and two-parameter bifurcation analysis.
• Systematic variation of waveguide structures, linewidth-enhancement factor, and pump rate.

Main Results:

• Diverse dynamical regimes (steady-state, oscillation, chaos) identified in solitary arrays.
• Optical injection significantly modifies dynamics, enabling simultaneous injection-locking or complex behaviors outside locking.
• Asymmetries in oscillation amplitude between array elements observed and characterized.

Conclusions:

• Waveguide design and optical injection are critical factors controlling laser array dynamics.
• External optical injection offers a powerful means to tune and control laser array behavior.
• Findings contribute to a deeper comprehension of dynamic instability in scalable laser arrays.