Modeling of optical synchronization of chaotic external-cavity VCSELs

The performance of a master-slave configuration for effecting the synchronization of chaotic vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is studied using numerical simulations. The dynamical evolution of optically coupled VCSELs is examined using a traveling wave model which is valid in the strong optical feedback regime. It is shown that the proposed configuration is capable of effecting synchronization in a robust manner. The opportunity for exploiting synchronized chaos in secure optical communication systems is indicated.