Dynamics of two laterally coupled semiconductor lasers: strong- and weak-coupling theory

H Erzgraber, Sebastian Wieczorek, B Krauskopf

Research output: Working paper

255 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The stability and nonlinear dynamics of two semiconductor lasers coupled side-to-side via evanescent waves is investigated by using three different models. In the composite-cavity model, the coupling between the lasers is accurately taken into account by calculating electric field profiles (composite-cavity modes) of the whole coupled-laser system. A bifurcation analysis of the composite-cavity model uncovers how different types of dynamics, including stationary phase-locking, periodic, quasiperiodic and chaotic intensity oscillations, are organised. In the individual-laser model, the coupling between individual lasers is introduced phenomenologically with ad hoc coupling terms. Comparison with the composite-cavity model reveals drastic differences in the dynamics. To identify the causes of these differences, we derive a coupled-laser model with coupling terms which are consistent with the solution of the wave equation and the relevant boundary conditions. This coupled-laser model reproduces the dynamics of the composite-cavity model under weak coupling conditions.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2008

Bibliographical note

Sponsorship: This research was supported by Great Western Research Fellowship 18 "Modelling and nonlinear dynamics of optical nanodevices: nanolasers and photonic nanocircuits".

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dynamics of two laterally coupled semiconductor lasers: strong- and weak-coupling theory'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this