Dynamical characteristics of nano‐lasers subject to optical injection and phase conjugate feedback

Hong Han,K. Alan Shore

doi:10.1049/iet-opt.2017.0058

Abstract

The dynamics of nano-lasers has been analysed using rate equations which include the Purcell cavity-enhanced spontaneous emission factor F and the spontaneous emission coupling factor β. It is shown that when subject to optical injection and phase conjugate feedback, nano-lasers may exhibit remarkably stable small-amplitude oscillations with frequencies of order 300 GHz. Critically, it is established that such oscillations persist when the effects of noise are taken into account. The appearance of such high-frequency oscillations is associated with the effective reduction of the carrier lifetime for larger values of the Purcell factor, F, and spontaneous coupling factor, β. The effects of the feedback distance and bias currents are also considered. As the optical injection strength increases for fixed phase conjugate feedback and relatively short feedback distances, the nano-laser displays periodic dynamics and then enters stable locking. As the feedback distance increases, the quasi-periodic dynamics dominates. Increased bias current can also induce quasi-periodic behaviour albeit this may be ameliorated by reducing the strength of the phase conjugate feedback.

Highlights

Increased bias current can induce quasi-periodic behaviour albeit this may be ameliorated by reducing the strength of the phase conjugate feedback
The dynamical properties of semiconductor laser subject to external perturbations has been a topic of interest for many decades
Despite effort over a decade or so [see e.g. 1-12] relatively few examples of such devices being reported. Those efforts have been accompanied by pioneering work on a theoretical description of nano-laser dynamics [13]

Summary

Introduction

The dynamical properties of semiconductor laser subject to external perturbations has been a topic of interest for many decades. Such external perturbations may include optical injection as well as regular and phase conjugate feedback. The prospect of developing nano-lasers with distinctive physical properties has stimulated several analyses of their dynamical behaviour. Despite effort over a decade or so [see e.g. 1-12] relatively few examples of such devices being reported. Those efforts have been accompanied by pioneering work on a theoretical description of nano-laser dynamics [13]

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