Simulation of Gb/s free space optical secure communication using interband cascade laser chaos

Abstract

We theoretically explore Gb/s message encryption in free space communications exploiting synchronized mid-infrared chaos from unidirectionally coupled interband cascade lasers (ICLs) with optical feedback. The achievable message encryption rate depends on the chaos bandwidth and relaxation frequency oscillation of the ICL which in turn, are determined by the bias current and the number of stages of the ICL. It is shown that message encryption rates up to 4 Gb/s may be obtained with bit error rate (BER) compatible with regular telecommunication systems requirements.