Dynamics of on-chip asymmetrically coupled semiconductor lasers

Abstract

We investigate the dynamics of asymmetrically coupled semiconductor lasers on photonic integrated circuits in experiment and theory. The experimental observations are explained using a rate-equation model for coupled lasers incorporating a saturable coupling waveguide. We perform a bifurcation analysis of the coupled laser dynamics, focusing on the effects of the coupling phase and the dynamical difference between passive and saturable coupling waveguides. For a passive waveguide, we find a bifurcation scenario closely resembling the well-known optical injection setup, which is largely insensitive to the coupling phase. When the coupling waveguide is saturable, the dynamics become increasingly complex and unpredictable, with a strong phase-dependence. Our results show the possibility of a simple layout for reproducible laser dynamics on a chip.

Effects of Asymmetric Coupling Strength on Nonlinear Dynamics of Two Mutually Long-Delay-Coupled Semiconductor Lasers

“…An interesting yet fundamental question to ask is whether the dynamical behaviors of the two lasers with asymmetric coupling strength are kept symmetric. For example, the result of a recent study [26], of which purpose focuses on showing that coupling strength asymmetry makes the mutually coupled laser system behave like a unidirectionally coupled laser system, indicates that their dynamical behaviors are still identical even when their coupling strength becomes slightly or moderately asymmetric. Would the dynamical behavior symmetry still hold if the extent of the coupling strength asymmetry enhances?…”

Stabilizing nanolasers via polarization lifetime tuning

“…Coupled nanophotonic semiconductor lasers are a prototypical model for on-chip laser networks 1 , 2 , which have attracted considerable attention as an optical solution for neuromorphic realizations in the recent years 3 – 5 . Due to their small footprint, high speed and low power consumption, they are promising light sources for a wide range of nanophotonic applications such as photonic integrated circuits, on-chip optical computing, and optical communication 4 , 6 – 9 . One crucial precondition for a successful photonic implementation is the knowledge of the synchronization stability boundaries and thus the underlying dynamics of the devices.…”

Stabilizing Nanolasers via Polarization Lifetime Tuning

“…Coupled nanophotonic semiconductor lasers are a prototypical model for on-chip laser networks 1,2 , which have attracted considerable attention as an optical solution for neuromorphic realizations in the recent years [3][4][5] . Due to their small footprint, high speed and low power consumption, they are promising light sources for a wide range of nanophotonic applications such as photonic integrated circuits, on-chip optical computing or optical communication 4,[6][7][8][9] . One crucial precondition for a successful photonic implementation is the knowledge of the synchronization stability boundaries and thus the underlying dynamics of the devices.…”