Coupled semiconductor laser network topologies for efficient synchronization

Two multi-semiconductor-laser (SL) topologies, based on mutually coupled semiconductor lasers - representing a startype and a mesh-type network - are evaluated in terms of their synchrony potential and their sensitivity towards critical SLs' intrinsic and operational parameters. The coupling topology, the coupling conditions and the values of key SL parameters determine the type of dynamics of the emitted optical signals. The number of nodes and the detuning in their fundamental properties have been assessed to be decisive in terms of efficiency and quality of synchronized outputs, as wells as for the overall dynamical map of the network. Our investigation mainly focuses on discrepancies in SL parameter values and their effect on the efficiency of synchronized dynamics. This type of investigation will provide preliminary guidelines on building experimentally large scale networks of coupled SLs under various coupling matrices that could support optical sensing or cryptographic applications.