Bifurcation analysis of frequency locking in a semiconductor laser with phase-conjugate feedback

We present a detailed study of the external-cavity modes (ECMs) of a semiconductor laser with phase-conjugate feedback. Mathematically, lasers with feedback are modeled by delay differential equations (DDEs) with an infinite-dimensional phase space. We employ new numerical bifurcation tools for DDEs to continue steady states and periodic orbits, irrespective of their stability. In this way, we show that the periodic orbits corresponding to the ECMs are connected to the steady state solution associated with the locking range of the laser. We also identify symmetric and nonsymmetric homoclinic orbits and hysteresis in the system

Global bifurcations and bistability at the locking boundaries of a semiconductor laser with phase-conjugate feedback

We investigate dynamics and bifurcations of a single-mode semiconductor laser subject to phase-conjugate feedback near the locking region. The system is described by rate equations which are a three-dimensional system with a delay. With tools that go much beyond mere simulation, we find and follow steady states regardless of their stability and compute unstable manifolds of saddle points. Furthermore, we identify heteroclinic bifurcations, which turn out to be responsible for bistability and excitability at the locking boundaries. ©2002 The American Physical Society