Abstract

In analyzing practical examples of extended coupled systems such as multistripe semiconductor laser arrays or various types of surface-emitting structures, we have established a simplified model for N nearly-identical coupled elements. A complex coupling constant has been assumed (so that both direct and evanescent coupling is included) as well as a variable coupling strength which ranges from nearest-neighbor only to all-to-all coupling. In our numerical experiments, for N = 100 elements, we have defined the parameter regimes for achieving phase-locking, partial phase-locking and phase-unlocking. These regimes have been established with respect to variations in cavity resonance frequencies, drive currents and coupling strengths. It was found that for a purely real coupling constant, the synchronization is much easier than for purely imaginary coupling.

© 1991 Optical Society of America