SPATIOTEMPORAL COMPLEXITY IN MULTI-STRIPE AND BROAD-AREA SEMICONDUCTOR-LASERS

The spatio-temporal dynamics of multi-stripe and broad-area semiconductor lasers is studied theoretically. The dynamics is governed by coupled equations for the (complex) optical fields, the polarization and the density of charge carriers. The (partial differential) model equations are solved numerically. Complex spatio-temporal patterns are observed in multi-stripe lasers. In broad-areas lasers, several transverse modes are excited, forming spatially unstable optical filaments. The dynamic behaviour, and the complexity in space and time are analysed by various theoretical tools. Transversely dependent cumulants of the bit-number and a characteristic cross-correlation function are used for the quantification of the spatio-temporal behaviour. The transverse generic eigenmodes of the broad-area laser are determined.