High degree of chaos synchronization of a single pair of transverse modes with different polarizations in vector lasers subjected to self-mixing modulation

Synchronization of chaos among a single pair of transverse modes featuring intermode dynamical non-independence, resulting from cross-saturation of modal population inversions and coherent modal field coupling, is explored in a thin-slice solid-state laser with coupled orthogonally polarized transverse modes operating in quasi-locked states. The chaotic signals that are created in one of the pairing modes (sender) by self-mixing modulations are shown to be transferred solely to the partner mode (receiver) among all the other modal fields with different polarizations. The experimental results are reproduced in a simulation of a model equation of coupled laser modes subjected to self-mixing modulations. (C) 2019 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement