Catastrophic loss of mode discrimination in coupled cavity systems

David E Perkins; Paul S Spencer; Iestyn Pierce; Paul Rees

doi:10.1117/12.544015

25 May 2004 Catastrophic loss of mode discrimination in coupled cavity systems

David E Perkins, Paul S Spencer, Iestyn Pierce, Paul Rees

Proceedings Volume 5468, Fluctuations and Noise in Photonics and Quantum Optics II; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.544015
Event: Second International Symposium on Fluctuations and Noise, 2004, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria Island, Spain

Abstract

Semiconductor lasers subject to optical feedback are of both scientific and technological importance. The laser and external mirror form a compound cavity which can be modeled using a coupled cavity approach. Using this approach we have calculated the longitudinal mode frequencies and the associated mode lifetimes of all the modes in the system. We have found that for a narrow range of external cavity reflectivities, the mode lifetimes become almost degenerate. In this regime the mode lifetimes become highly sensitive to variations in the refractive index of the laser and external cavity reflectivities. Close inspection of this regime has revealed ever finer detail, suggesting a fractal structure to the mode solutions. The calculations have been undertaken in the 'cold cavity' limit and indicate a catastrophic loss of mode discrimination, even in a system with no inherent material gain. In the short cavity limit the external reflectivity required to induce the loss of mode discrimination varies as a function of external cavity round-trip time.

Citation Download Citation

David E Perkins, Paul S Spencer, Iestyn Pierce, and Paul Rees "Catastrophic loss of mode discrimination in coupled cavity systems", Proc. SPIE 5468, Fluctuations and Noise in Photonics and Quantum Optics II, (25 May 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.544015

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