Adler synchronization of spatial laser solitons pinned by defects

TL;DR

This paper investigates how defects in broad-area semiconductor lasers cause pinning and frequency shifts of spatial laser solitons, and demonstrates their synchronization behavior through theory and experiments.

Contribution

It provides the first combined theoretical and experimental analysis of soliton synchronization influenced by defects in semiconductor lasers.

Findings

Frequency and phase synchronization of laser solitons observed.

Synchronization behavior accurately described by the Adler model.

Defects induce pinning and frequency shifts affecting soliton interactions.

Abstract

Defects due to growth fluctuations in broad-area semiconductor lasers induce pinning and frequency shifts of spatial laser solitons. The effects of defects on the interaction of two solitons are considered in lasers with frequency-selective feedback both theoretically and experimentally. We demonstrate frequency and phase synchronization of paired laser solitons as their detuning is varied. In both theory and experiment the locking behavior is well described by the Adler model for the synchronization of coupled oscillators.