Frequency and Phase Locking of Laser Cavity Solitons

Ackemann, T.; Noblet, Yoann; Paulau, P. V.; McIntyre, C.; Colet, Pere; Firth, W. J.; Oppo, Gian-Luca

doi:10.1007/10091_2012_16

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 108 publications

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“…This was observed for patterns in [47], but investigations for semiconductor solitons are lacking due to the challenge in achieving spatio-temporal resolution sufficient to resolve the dynamics, though indications for drifting solitons were found in amplifiers with tilted injection [42,48]. Recent work demonstrates that small tilts of the VBG can be used to control the frequency of the soliton [49,50]. Since figure 2 indicates that the fundamental and the vortex soliton have different, though very similar frequencies it appears at least possible that small tilts can reverse the order between solitons of different order.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observation of laser vortex solitons in a self-focusing semiconductor laser

Jimenez

Noblet

Paulau

et al. 2013

J. Opt.

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We report the observation of single and multiple vortex solitons in a self-focusing dissipative system, a broad-area vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with frequency-selective feedback by a volume Bragg grating. They are bistable and the transitions between different soliton structures are analysed. The observations qualitatively verify theoretical predictions based on simplified models for a semiconductor laser with frequency-selective feedback.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observation of laser vortex solitons in a self-focusing semiconductor laser

Jimenez

Noblet

Paulau

et al. 2013

J. Opt.

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“…It explains many central questions from particle and atomic physics to nonlinear optics (the Goldstone boson and the Higgs mechanism [11,12], phase transitions in BoseEinstein condensates -BECs- [13,14], metamaterials [15], bifurcations in lasers [16,17], photorrefractive media [18], to mention just a few). A paradigmatic symmetry in this context is given by reflection in a double-well potential (DWP), as it is the case of pyramidal molecules (e.g.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Spontaneous mirror-symmetry breaking in coupled photonic-crystal nanolasers

et al. 2015

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Multi-cavity photonic systems, known as photonic molecules (PMs), are ideal multi-well potential building blocks for advanced quantum and nonlinear optics [1][2][3][4]. A key phenomenon arising in double well potentials is the spontaneous breaking of the inversion symmetry, i.e. a transition from a delocalized to two localized states in the wells, which are mirror images of each other. Although few theoretical studies have addressed mirror-symmetry breaking in micro and nanophotonic systems [5][6][7][8][9], no experimental evidence has been reported to date. Thanks to the potential barrier engineering implemented here, we demonstrate spontaneous mirror-symmetry breaking through a pitchfork bifurcation in a PM composed of two coupled photonic crystal nanolasers. Coexistence of localized states is shown by switching them with short pulses. This offers exciting prospects for the realization of ultra-compact, integrated, scalable optical flip-flops based on spontaneous symmetry breaking. Furthermore, we predict such transitions with few intracavity photons for future devices with strong quantum correlations.Spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) unifies diverse physical mechanisms through which a given symmetric system ends up in an asymmetric state [10]. It explains many central questions from particle and atomic physics to nonlinear optics (the Goldstone boson and the Higgs mechanism [11,12], phase transitions in BoseEinstein condensates -BECs- [13,14], metamaterials [15], bifurcations in lasers [16,17], photorrefractive media [18], to mention just a few). A paradigmatic symmetry in this context is given by reflection in a double-well potential (DWP), as it is the case of pyramidal molecules (e.g. ammonia) [19]: SSB dictates whether the state of a system will be delocalized or, in turn, confined within either well. In photonics, such a mechanism is possible provided the third order nonlinearities overcome photon tunneling [20]. In this work we experimentally show SSB in a photonic molecule (PM) given by two evanescently coupled photonic crystal (PhC) nanolasers. Switchable localized modes with broken mirror-symmetry will be demonstrated herein. This can be prospected as a nanoscale version of a laser flip-flop [21]; the memory is pumped incoherently, set and reset can be induced with positive pulses and there is no coherent driving beam to bias the device, as in conventional bistable cavities. This paves the way for the realization of ultra-small flip-flop optical memories based on SSB.We represent the PM as a DWP, symmetric with respect to the inversion plane. We describe the dynamics in terms of the complex amplitudes of the photonic field at the left (ψ L ) and right (ψ R ) sites, |ψ| 2 being photon number. A finite potential barrier leads to a tunneling rate K. We further consider a local (nonlinear) interaction U |ψ L,R | 2 , and a lifetime τ due to losses. SSB instabilities occur as long as K is lower than a critical value K c (|K| < |K c |), with |K c τ | ∼ |U | · |ψ| 2 [22]. In the case of our PM laser, |ψ| 2...

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“…However, even minute tilts of the VBG will influence the feedback phase significantly and in a slightly different way across an extended structure like a doughnut. We demonstrated frequency tuning of fundamental solitons and differential frequency detuning between spatially separated solitons before [113,103]. Hence, we conclude that minute alignment changes of the VBG, which are much smaller than the angular width of the soliton, can provide the necessary frequency fine tuning to allow the compensation of small intrinsic anisotropies and the formation of VVB.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

“…The setup for the cavity soliton laser and the VCSEL devices used are described in detail in [23,24,31,102] and reviewed in [103,104]. The VCSELs used are broad-area electrically pumped devices.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vector vortex solitons and soliton control in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Ackemann¹,

Guillet²,

Pulham³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The properties of vector vortex beams in vertical-cavity-surface emitting lasers with frequency-selective feedback is investigated. They are interpreted as highorder vortex solitons with a spatially non-uniform, but locally linear polarization state. In contrast to most schemes to obtain vector vortex beams relying on imprinting the polarization structure, vector vortex solitons form spontaneously due to the near polarization degeneracy in vertical-cavity devices. We observe radially, hyperbolic and spiral polarization configurations depending on small residual anisotropies in the system and multi-stability between different states. In addition, we demonstrate flip-flop operation of laser solitons via in principle local electronic nonlinearities. Combining the two themes might open up a route for a simple device enabling fast switching between different vector vortex beams for applications. The investigations connect nicely the fields of nonlinear science, singular optics, structured light and semiconductor laser technology.

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Frequency and Phase Locking of Laser Cavity Solitons

Cited by 6 publications

References 108 publications

Observation of laser vortex solitons in a self-focusing semiconductor laser

Observation of laser vortex solitons in a self-focusing semiconductor laser

Spontaneous mirror-symmetry breaking in coupled photonic-crystal nanolasers

Vector vortex solitons and soliton control in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

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