Statistical properties of stochastic and chaotic optical signals

Abstract

We have measured (or computed) time-series, second-and higher-order correlation functions, correlation dimensions, and amplitude and intensity spectra to compare and contrast chaotic laser signals (from experiments with a single-mode He-Xe 3.51-μm laser and numerical simulations of unstable inhomogeneously broadened single-mode lasers and numerical results for the Lorenz-Haken model for single-mode homogeneously broadened lasers) with stochastically fluctuating signals measured at the output of an amplified spontaneous emission source and a computed sine wave with added phase noise. We find important similarities and points of distinction in addition to the expected result that stochastic signals would show no evidence of a finite correlation dimension while chaotic signals would show a small fractal value for the correlation dimension.