Synchronization properties of chaotic semiconductor lasers and applications to encryption

We review the main properties of two unidirectionally coupled single-mode semiconductor lasers (master-slave configuration). Our analysis is based on numerical simulations of a rate equations model. The emitter, or master laser, is assumed to be an external-cavity single-mode semiconductor laser subject to optical feedback that operates in a chaotic regime. The receiver, or slave laser, is similar to the emitter but can either operate in a chaotic regime, as the emitter (closed loop configuration), or without optical feedback and consequently under CW when it is uncoupled (open loop configuration). This configuration is one of the most simple and useful configuration for chaos based communication systems and data encryption. To cite this article: C.R. Mirasso et al., C. R. Physique 5 (2004).