Dynamics of phase‐locked semiconductor laser arrays

Abstract

Time‐dependent coupled mode theory is used to investigate the stability of phase‐locked semiconductor laser arrays. The output of individual array elements is dynamically unstable and exhibits large amplitude chaotic pulsations. The total output initially exhibits damped relaxation oscillations and then settles down to a quasi‐steady state characterized by small amplitude fluctuations. The theory predicts both the pulsation frequency and the phase lock‐in time of the array.