Deborah Kane & Alan Shore 
Unlocking Dynamical Diversity 
Optical Feedback Effects on Semiconductor Lasers

Applications of semiconductor lasers with optical feedback systems
are driving rapid developments in theoretical and experimental
research. The very broad wavelength-gain-bandwidth of semiconductor
lasers combined with frequency-filtered, strong optical feedback
create the tunable, single frequency laser systems utilised in
telecommunications, environmental sensing, measurement and control.
Those with weak to moderate optical feedback lead to the chaotic
semiconductor lasers of private communication. This resource
illustrates the diversity of dynamic laser states and the
technological applications thereof, presenting a timely synthesis
of current findings, and providing the roadmap for exploiting their
future potential.

* Provides theory-based explanations underpinned by a vast range of
experimental studies on optical feedback, including conventional,
phase conjugate and frequency- filtered feedback in standard,
commercial and single-stripe semiconductor lasers

* Includes the classic Lang-Kobayashi equation model, through to
more recent theory, with new developments in techniques for solving
delay differential equations and bifurcation analysis

* Explores developments in self-mixing interferometry to produce
sub-nanometre sensitivity in path-length measurements

* Reviews tunable single frequency semiconductor lasers and systems
and their diverse range of applications in sensing and optical
communications

* Emphasises the importance of synchronised chaotic semiconductor
lasers using optical feedback and private communications
systems

Unlocking Dynamical Diversity illustrates all theory using real
world examples gleaned from international cutting-edge research.
Such an approach appeals to industry professionals working in
semiconductor lasers, laser physics and laser applications and is
essential reading for researchers and postgraduates in these
fields.

Table of Content

List of Contributors.

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

1 Introduction (Deborah M. Kane and K. Alan Shore).

1.1 Semiconductor Laser Basics.

1.2 Nonlinear Dynamical Systems.

1.3 Semiconductor Lasers with Optical Feedback.

1.4 Landmark Results: Theory and Experiment.

1.5 Overview of Feedback Response: Regimes I-V.

1.6 Outline of Applications.

References.

2 Theoretical Analysis (Paul Spencer, Paul Rees and Iestyn Pierce).

2.1 Introduction.

2.2 Basic Model: Single Mode Lasers with Weak Optical Feedback.

2.3 Steady State Analysis of the Lang-Kobayashi Equations.

2.4 Multimode Iterative Analysis of the Dynamics of Laser Diodes Subject to Optical Feedback.

2.5 Cavity Length Effects.

2.6 Coupled Cavity Analysis.

2.7 Conclusion.

References.

3 Generalized Optical Feedback: Theory (Daan Lenstra, Gautam Vemuri and Mirvais Yousefi).

3.1 Varieties of Optical Feedback.

3.2 Compound-Cavity Analysis: Validity of Lang-Kobayashi Approach.

3.3 Filtered Optical Feedback.

3.4 Phase-Conjugate Feedback.

3.5 Conclusion.

Acknowledgements.

Note.

References.

4 Experimental Observations (A. Tom Gavrielides and David W. Sukow).

4.1 Introduction.

4.2 Experimental Apparatus.

4.3 Extremely Weak Feedback Effects – Regime I.

4.4 Very Weak Feedback Effects – Regime II.

4.5 Weak Feedback Effects – Regime III-IV.

4.6 Moderate Feedback Effects – Low Frequency Fluctuations.

4.7 Short Cavity Regime.

4.8 Double-Cavity Systems.

4.9 Multimode Effects.

4.10 Control.

4.11 Feedback and Modulation.

4.12 Phase Conjugate Feedback.

4.13 Conclusion.

References.

5 Bifurcation Analysis of Lasers with Delay (Bernd Krauskopf).

5.1 Introduction.

5.2 Bifurcation Theory of DDEs.

5.3 Numerical Methods.

5.4 Bifurcations in the COF Laser.

5.5 Bifurcations in the PCF Laser.

5.6 Conclusion.

Acknowledgements.

References.

6 Chaos Synchronization (Siva Sivaprakasam and Cristina Masoller Ottieri).

6.1 Introduction.

6.2 Synchronization of Unidirectionally Coupled Semiconductor Lasers.

6.3 Synchronization of Mutually Coupled Semiconductor Lasers.

6.4 Conclusion.

References.

7 Laser Interferometry (Guido Giuliani and Silvano Donati).

7.1 Introduction.

7.2 Laser Diode Feedback Interferometry: Theory and Basic Experiments.

7.3 Application to Measurements.

7.4 Laser Diode Diagnostics Using Self-Mixing Techniques.

7.5 Conclusion.

Acknowledgements.

References.

8 Single Frequency and Tunable Single Frequency Semiconductor Laser Systems (Esa Jaatinen).

8.1 Introduction.

8.2 Effect of Frequency Filtering the Feedback for Robust Single Frequency Operation.

8.3 Tunable Semiconductor Laser System Designs and Operating Characteristics.

8.4 Frequency Stabilization.

8.5 Tunable Semiconductor Laser System Applications.

8.6 Conclusion.

References.

9 Chaotic Optical Communication (Junji Ohtsubo and Peter Davis).

9.1 Introduction.

9.2 Communication Using Synchronized Laser Chaos.

9.3 Methods for Modulation and Recovery of Messages.

9.4 Mechanisms for Synchronization and Signal Recovery.

9.5 Parameter Sensitivity, Robustness and Security for Synchronized Chaos Communication.

9.6 Communication Bandwidth.

9.7 Conclusion.

Acknowledgements.

References.

Index.

About the author

Deborah M. Kane is the editor of Unlocking Dynamical Diversity: Optical Feedback Effects on Semiconductor Lasers, published by Wiley.

K. Alan Shore is the editor of Unlocking Dynamical Diversity: Optical Feedback Effects on Semiconductor Lasers, published by Wiley.