Real-time frequency dynamics and high-resolution spectra of a semiconductor laser with delayed feedback

• DOI: 10.1038/srep00732
• Publication Date: 2012-10-12T09:15:17Z
• Authors: Daniel Brunner; Xavier Porte; Miguel C. Soriano; Ingo Fischer
• Keywords: Semiconductor optical gain; Heterodyne (poetry); Temporal resolution; Nanosecond; Heterodyne detection; Dynamics

The unstable emission of semiconductor lasers due to delayed optical feedback is characterized by combined intensity and frequency dynamics. Nevertheless, real-time experimental investigations have so far been restricted measurements dynamics only. Detailed analysis comparison with numerical models, therefore, suffered from limited information. Here, we report the simultaneous determination high temporal resolution. made accessible using a heterodyne detection scheme, in which beat signal between laser reference generated. Our experiment provides insight into overall spectral drift on nanosecond timescales, distribution pulsations role individual external cavity modes. This opens new perspectives for analysis, understanding functional utilization lasers.