Chaotic synchronization of a distant star-type laser network with multiple optical injections.

A novel multi-injection module (MIM) is introduced into a typical distant star-type laser network, which is composed of a hub semiconductor laser node (H-SLN), star semiconductor laser nodes (S-SLNs) and tens of kilometers of fiber links. The chaotic synchronization of this distant network is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. As a result of using the MIM, a significantly low correlation (about 0.2) is successfully achieved between the H-SLN and S-SLNs in different clusters. This correlation is much lower than in previously reported results. Even when the fiber length is extended to 80 kilometers a low correlation (about 0.18) between the H-SLN and S-SLNs in different clusters is also obtained. Moreover, the dependence of chaotic synchronization on the operating conditions, such as the injection power, frequency detuning, and frequency mismatch between arbitrary nodes are examined. Lastly, using a theoretical model, we discuss the broad conditions for achieving chaotic synchronization among S-SLNs in the same cluster, and analyze the effect of the MIM branch number on chaotic synchronization.

Frequency-comb-based BOTDA sensors for high-spatial-resolution/long-distance sensing.

Frequency-comb-based Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA) sensors were developed to achieve acquisition-time reduction and high-spatial-resolution/long-distance sensing simultaneously. We found that, for the standard frequency-comb-based BOTDA, the use of a double-sideband (DSB) pulse generates a series of pulse pairs that simultaneously propagate along the sensing fiber, leading to a nonlinear interaction between the two sidebands of each frequency comb pulse, and a significant splitting of the Brillouin gain spectrum (BGS). This problem prevents its application in high-spatial-resolution sensing due to the higher pulse power requirement. Thus, one of the sidebands of DSB pulse was proposed for greatly suppressing the BGS distortion. In combination with the phonon pre-excitation technique based on phase-shifted pulse, a sensor with a spatial-resolution approximately 60 cm along a fiber approximately 592 m in length was demonstrated. Furthermore, we explored the detailed performance of long-distance sensing by frequency- comb-based BOTDA. The use of a frequency comb for the probe wave can suppress the pulse distortion and non-local effect, which is helpful for extending the sensing distance. A spatial resolution of approximately 6 m along a sensing fiber approximately 74.2 km in length was successfully demonstrated.

Tbits/s physical random bit generation based on mutually coupled semiconductor laser chaotic entropy source.

Using two mutually coupled semiconductor lasers (MC-SLs) outputs as chaotic entropy sources, a scheme for generating Tbits/s ultra-fast physical random bit (PRB) is demonstrated and analyzed experimentally. Firstly, two entropy sources originating from two chaotic outputs of MC-SLs are obtained in parallel. Secondly, by adopting multiple optimized post-processing methods, two PRB streams with the generation rate of 0.56 Tbits/s are extracted from the two entropy sources and their randomness are verified by using NIST Special Publication 800-22 statistical tests. Through merging the two sets of 0.56 Tbits/s PRB streams by an interleaving operation, a third set of 1.12 Tbits/s PRB stream, which meets all the quality criteria of NIST statistical tests, can be further acquired. Finally, after additionally taking into account the restriction of the min-entropy, the generation rate of two sets of PRB stream from the two entropy sources can still attain 0.48 Tbits/s, and then a third set of merging PRB stream is 0.96 Tbits/s. Moreover, for the sequence length of the order of 10 Gbits, the statistical bias and serial correlation coefficient of three sets of PRB streams are also analyzed.

Direct generation of broadband chaos by a monolithic integrated semiconductor laser chip.

A solitary monolithic integrated semiconductor laser (MISL) chip with a size of 780 micrometer is designed and fabricated for broadband chaos generation. Such a MISL chip consists of a DFB section, a phase section and an amplification section. Test results indicate that under suitable operation conditions, this laser chip can be driven into broadband chaos. The generated chaos covers an RF frequency range, limited by our measurement device, of 26.5GHz, and possesses significant dimension and complexity. Moreover, the routes into and out of chaos are also characterized through extracting variety dynamical states of temporal waveforms, phase portraits, RF spectra and statistical indicators.

Impact of optical feedback on current-induced polarization behavior of 1550 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

Polarization switching (PS) between two orthogonal linearly polarized fundamental modes is experimentally observed in commercial free-running 1550 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) (Raycan). The characteristics of this PS are strongly modified after introducing a polarization-preserved (PP) or polarization-orthogonal (PO) optical feedback. Under the case that the external cavity is approximately 30 cm, the PP optical feedback results in the PS point shifting toward a lower injection current, and the region within which the two polarization modes coexist is enlarged with the increase of the PP feedback strength. Under too-strong PP feedback levels, the PS disappears. The impact of PO optical feedback on VCSEL polarization behavior is quite similar to that of PP optical feedback, but larger feedback strength is needed to obtain similar results.

Evolution of time delay signature of chaos generated in a mutually delay-coupled semiconductor lasers system.

In this paper, evolution of time delay (TD) signature of chaos generated in a mutual delay-coupled semiconductor lasers (MDC-SLs) system is investigated experimentally and theoretically. Two statistical methods, including self-correlation function (SF) and permutation entropy (PE), are used to estimate the TD signature of chaotic time series. Through extracting the characteristic peak from the SF curve, a series of TD signature evolution maps are firstly obtained in the parameter space of coupled strength and frequency detuning. Meantime, the influences of injection current on the evolution maps of TD signature have been discussed, and the optimum scope of TD signature suppression is also specified. An overall qualitative agreement between our theoretical and experimental results is obtained.

Chaos synchronization in mutually coupled semiconductor lasers with asymmetrical bias currents.

We experimentally and numerically investigated the chaos synchronization characteristics of mutually coupled semiconductor lasers (MCSLs) with asymmetrical bias currents. Experimental results show that, asymmetrical bias current level of two MCSLs has obvious influence on chaos synchronization between them, and stable leader-laggard chaos synchronization can be realized under relatively large asymmetrical bias current levels. Moreover, the influences of frequency detuning and mutually coupling strength between the two lasers on chaos synchronization performance have also been discussed. Theoretical simulations basically conform to our experimental observations.

Bidirectional chaos communication between two outer semiconductor lasers coupled mutually with a central semiconductor laser.

Based on a linear chain composed of a central semiconductor laser and two outer semiconductor lasers, chaos synchronization and bidirectional communication between two outer lasers have been investigated under the case that the central laser and the two outer lasers are coupled mutually, whereas there exists no coupling between the two outer lasers. The simulation results show that high-quality and stable isochronal synchronization between the two outer lasers can be achieved, while the cross-correlation coefficients between the two outer lasers and the central laser are very low under proper operation condition. Based on the high performance chaos synchronization between the two outer lasers, message bidirectional transmissions of bit rates up to 20 Gbit/s can be realized through adopting a novel decoding scheme which is different from that based on chaos pass filtering effect. Furthermore, the security of bidirectional communication is also analyzed.

Time delay signature concealment of optical feedback induced chaos in an external cavity semiconductor laser.

The time delay (TD) signature concealment of optical feedback induced chaos in an external cavity semiconductor laser is experimentally demonstrated. Both the evolution curve and the distribution map of TD signature are obtained in the parameter space of external feedback strength and injection current. The optimum parameter scope of the TD signature concealment is also specified. Furthermore, the approximately periodic evolution relation between TD signature and external cavity length is observed and indicates that the intrinsic relaxation oscillation of semiconductor laser may play an important role during the process of TD signature suppression.

Suppression of time delay signatures of chaotic output in a semiconductor laser with double optical feedback.

We experimentally and numerically demonstrate the time delay (TD) signature suppression of chaotic output in a double optical feedback semiconductor laser (DOF-SL) system. Two types of TD signature suppression are demonstrated by adjusting the lengths and the feedback power ratios of the two external cavities. One can significantly eliminate all TD signatures of the DOF-SL system and the corresponding power spectrum distribution becomes quite smooth and flat, the other suppresses one of two TD signatures and remains another one.