Quantum-noise-induced order in lasers placed in chaotic oscillation by frequency-shifted feedback

Surface plasmon resonance biosensor with laser heterodyne feedback for highly-sensitive and rapid detection of COVID-19 spike antigen

The ongoing outbreak of the COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of the pandemic prevention and control. A rapid and sensitive antigen assay is crucial in diagnosing and curbing pandemic. Here, we report a novel surface plasmon resonance biosensor based on laser heterodyne feedback interferometry for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen, which is achieved by detecting the tiny difference in refractive index between different antigen concentrations. The biosensor converts the refractive index changes at the sensing unit into the intensity changes of light through surface plasmon resonance, achieving label-free and real-time detection of biological samples. Moreover, the gain amplification effect of the laser heterodyne feedback interferometry further improved the sensitivity of this biosensor. The biosensor can rapidly respond to continuous and periodic changes in the refractive index with a high resolution of 3.75 × 10-8 RIU, demonstrating the repeatability of the biosensor. Afterwards, the biosensor is immobilized by the anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike monoclonal antibodies, thus realizing the specific recognition of the antigen. The biosensor exhibited a high sensitivity towards the concentration of the antigen with a linear dynamic range of five orders of magnitude and a resolution of 0.08 pg/mL. These results indicate that this principle can be used as a rapid diagnostic method for COVID-19 antigens without sample labelling.

Chaos synchronization among orthogonally polarized emissions in a dual-polarization laser

We report on the experimental observations of chaos synchronizations among orthogonally polarized emissions in a dual-polarization laser. With a three-mode scheme with a single mode in one polarization and two modes in orthogonal polarizations, synchronization was achieved by the cross-saturation dynamics of population inversions when one of the dual-polarized emissions was subjected to external perturbations, i.e., self-mixing modulation or optical fiber feedback. In-phase synchronization or lag synchronization among orthogonally polarized emissions was achieved depending on the degree of cross saturation in the self-mixing modulation. Synchronization of random bursting was observed in the fiber feedback, in which two chaotic-spiking modes in one polarization with anticorrelated intensity variations synchronize the remaining mode in the orthogonal polarization cooperatively with their total intensity variation. Information sender-mediator-receiver relationships among modes, which represent the dynamical roles of individual modes for establishing the observed three types of collective synchronizations, were identified in terms of an information circulation analysis.

Two-channel self-mixing laser Doppler measurement with carrier-frequency-division multiplexing

We demonstrate real-time two-channel self-mixing laser-Doppler measurement with extreme optical sensitivity using a laser-diode-pumped thin-slice LiNdP4O12 laser. Successful carrier-frequency-division-multiplexed two-channel operations are realized by using one laser, two sets of optical frequency shifters, and a two-channel frequency-modulated-wave demodulation circuit. Simultaneous independent measurements of vibrations of speakers and averaged motions of small Brownian particles in different scattering cells are demonstrated. Self-mixing photon correlation spectroscopy of particle size distributions is also discussed.

Dynamical characterization of chaotic itinerancy in a three-mode laser subjected to frequency-shifted optical feedback

We investigated chaotic dynamics in a microchip three-mode solid-state laser subjected to frequency-shifted optical feedback. When the frequency shift was tuned to harmonic frequencies of the relaxation oscillation, a bifurcation from a periodic sustained relaxation oscillation ("soft-mode") state to a chaotic spiking ("hard-mode") state via a chaotic itinerancy was observed as the feedback intensity was increased. Dynamic characterizations of modal interplay and self-induced switching between the soft- and hard-mode chaotic states over times (i.e., chaotic itinerancy) were carried out by the information circulation analysis and joint time-frequency analysis of long-term experimental time series. Drastic changes in information transfer rates among oscillating modes and occasional frequency locking among periodicities of two chaotic states associated with switchings were identified in chaotic itinerancy. Essential dynamical behaviors were reproduced by numerical simulation.

Detection and classification of nonlinear dynamic switching events

A method is proposed for detecting chaotic switching events. Switching events are classified by the time of the event and by parameter value. Classifications are based on the density of localized dynamics about a test trajectory. This method is shown to be successful in tracking short-time parameter modulation and hyperchaotic key shifting used in otherwise secure communications.

Real-time nanometer-vibration measurement with a self-mixing microchip solid-state laser

Nanometer vibration analysis of a target has been demonstrated by a self-aligned optical feedback vibrometry technique that uses a laser-diode-pumped microchip solid-state laser. The laser output waveform, which was modulated through interference between a lasing field and an extremely weak (<- 100-dB) frequency-modulated (FM) feedback field, was analyzed by the Hilbert transformation to yield the vibration waveform of the target. Experimental signal characteristics have been reproduced by numerical simulations. Real-time vibration measurement has also been achieved with a simple FM demodulation circuit.

Noise-induced resonance in delayed feedback systems

We study the influence of noise in the dynamics of a laser with optical feedback. For appropriate choices of the feedback parameters, several attractors coexist, and large enough noise induces jumps among the attractors. Based on the residence times probability density, it is shown that with increasing noise the dynamics of attractor jumping exhibits a resonant behavior, which is due to the interplay of noise and delayed feedback. It is also shown that this type of resonance is not specific to the model equations used, since it also occurs in other delay differential equations.