Dynamics and chaos stabilization of semiconductor lasers with optical feedback from an interferometer

Abstract

This paper studies dynamical behaviors and noise properties of semiconductor lasers with optical feedback from an interferometer, i.e., two external cavities. Bifurcation diagrams versus external-cavity length and reflectivity reveal the existence of stable regions for fixed states and limit cycles. The steady-state analysis for a laser diode with two external feedbacks is performed, which shows that oscillation modes are locked at minimum excess gain modes. Oscillation frequencies of limit cycles show discrete transitions with the variation of ratios between two external-cavity lengths and reflectivities. It is proposed that such a model might be applied to stabilization of the feedback-induced chaos in external-cavity semiconductor lasers since the stable region is quite robust for wide parameter ranges. Intensity and phase noises are examined and the results indicate that the low-frequency relative intensity noise level and the linewidth can be greatly improved when the laser output is a fixed state or a limit cycle.