Spatiotemporal communication with synchronized optical chaos

Harnessing microcomb-based parallel chaos for random number generation and optical decision making

Optical chaos is vital for various applications such as private communication, encryption, anti-interference sensing, and reinforcement learning. Chaotic microcombs have emerged as promising sources for generating massive optical chaos. However, their inter-channel correlation behavior remains elusive, limiting their potential for on-chip parallel chaotic systems with high throughput. In this study, we present massively parallel chaos based on chaotic microcombs and high-nonlinearity AlGaAsOI platforms. We demonstrate the feasibility of generating parallel chaotic signals with inter-channel correlation <0.04 and a high random number generation rate of 3.84 Tbps. We further show the application of our approach by demonstrating a 15-channel integrated random bit generator with a 20 Gbps channel rate using silicon photonic chips. Additionally, we achieved a scalable decision-making accelerator for up to 256-armed bandit problems. Our work opens new possibilities for chaos-based information processing systems using integrated photonics, and potentially can revolutionize the current architecture of communication, sensing and computations.

Real-time observation and control of optical chaos

Optical chaotic system is a central research topic due to its scientific importance and practical relevance in key photonic applications such as laser optics and optical communication. Because of the ultrafast propagation of light, all previous studies on optical chaos are based on either static imaging or spectral measurement, which shows only time-averaged phenomena. The ability to reveal real-time optical chaotic dynamics and, hence, control its behavior is critical to the further understanding and engineering of these systems. Here, we report a real-time spatial-temporal imaging of an optical chaotic system, using compressed ultrafast photography. The time evolution of the system's phase map is imaged without repeating measurement. We also demonstrate the ability to simultaneously control and monitor optical chaotic systems in real time. Our work introduces a new angle to the study of nonrepeatable optical chaos, paving the way for fully understanding and using chaotic systems in various disciplines.

Global Nonfragile Synchronization in Finite Time for Fractional-Order Discontinuous Neural Networks With Nonlinear Growth Activations

This paper is concerned with the global nonfragile Mittag-Leffler synchronization and the global synchronization in finite time for fractional-order discontinuous neural networks, where activation functions are discontinuous at 0, or modeled as a local Hölder functions with the nonlinear growth property in a neighborhood of 0. First, two lemmas concerned with the convergence with respect to an absolutely continuous function are developed. Second, a new property, which introduces an inequality of the fractional derivative for the variable upper limit integral with respect to the nonsmooth integrable function, is presented and applied in the synchronization results' analysis. In addition, under the fractional Filippov differential inclusion framework, by utilizing the Lur'e Postnikov-type Lyapunov functional, nonsmooth analysis method, and the convergence properties developed in this paper, the synchronization conditions are derived in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Moreover, the upper bound of the setting time for the global nonfragile synchronization in finite time is calculated accurately. Finally, two illustrations are presented to verify the correctness of the theoretical results.

Mittag-Leffler synchronization of delayed fractional-order bidirectional associative memory neural networks with discontinuous activations: state feedback control and impulsive control schemes

This paper is concerned with the drive-response synchronization for a class of fractional-order bidirectional associative memory neural networks with time delays, as well as in the presence of discontinuous activation functions. The global existence of solution under the framework of Filippov for such networks is firstly obtained based on the fixed-point theorem for condensing map. Then the state feedback and impulsive controllers are, respectively, designed to ensure the Mittag-Leffler synchronization of these neural networks and two new synchronization criteria are obtained, which are expressed in terms of a fractional comparison principle and Razumikhin techniques. Numerical simulations are presented to validate the proposed methodologies.

Function projective synchronization of memristor-based Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with time-varying delays

This paper deals with the problem of function projective synchronization for a class of memristor-based Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with time-varying delays. Based on the theory of differential equations with discontinuous right-hand side, some novel criteria are obtained to realize the function projective synchronization of addressed networks by combining open loop control and linear feedback control. As some special cases, several control strategies are given to ensure the realization of complete synchronization, anti-synchronization and the stabilization of the considered memristor-based Cohen-Grossberg neural network. Finally, a numerical example and its simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.

Generation of polarization-resolved wideband unpredictability-enhanced chaotic signals based on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers subject to chaotic optical injection

A system framework is proposed and analyzed for generating polarization-resolved wideband unpredictability-enhanced chaotic signals based on a slave vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (S-VCSEL) driven by an injected optical chaos signal from a master VCSEL (M-VCSEL) under optical feedback. After calculating the time series outputs from the M-VCSEL under optical feedback and the S-VCSEL under chaotic optical injection by using the spin-flip model (SFM), the unpredictability degree (UD) is evaluated by permutation entropy (PE), and the bandwidth of the polarization-resolved outputs from the M-VCSEL and S-VCSEL are numerically investigated. The results show that, under suitable parameters, both the bandwidth and UD of two polarization components (PCs) outputs from the S-VCSEL can be enhanced significantly compared with that of the driving chaotic signals output from the M-VCSEL. By simulating the influences of the feedback and injection parameters on the bandwidth and UD of the polarization-resolved outputs from S-VCSEL, related operating parameters can be optimized.

Time-delay signature of chaos in 1550 nm VCSELs with variable-polarization FBG feedback

Based on the framework of spin-flip model (SFM), the output characteristics of a 1550 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) subject to variable-polarization fiber Bragg grating (FBG) feedback (VPFBGF) have been investigated. With the aid of the self-correlation function (SF) and the permutation entropy (PE) function, the time-delay signature (TDS) of chaos in the VPFBGF-VCSEL is evaluated, and then the influences of the operation parameters on the TDS of chaos are analyzed. The results show that the TDS of chaos can be suppressed efficiently through selecting suitable coupling coefficient and feedback rate of the FBG, and is weaker than that of chaos generated by traditional variable-polarization mirror feedback VCSELs (VPMF-VCSELs) or polarization-preserved FBG feedback VCSELs (PPFBGF-VCSELs).

Delay-enhanced coherent chaotic oscillations in networks with large disorders

We study the effect of coupling delay in a regular network with a ring topology and in a more complex network with an all-to-all (global) topology in the presence of impurities (disorder). We find that the coupling delay is capable of inducing phase-coherent chaotic oscillations in both types of networks, thereby enhancing the spatiotemporal complexity even in the presence of 50% of symmetric disorders of both fixed and random types. Furthermore, the coupling delay increases the robustness of the networks up to 70% of disorders, thereby preventing the network from acquiring periodic oscillations to foster disorder-induced spatiotemporal order. We also confirm the enhancement of coherent chaotic oscillations using snapshots of the phases and values of the associated Kuramoto order parameter. We also explain a possible mechanism for the phenomenon of delay-induced coherent chaotic oscillations despite the presence of large disorders and discuss its applications.

Linear matrix inequality criteria for robust synchronization of uncertain fractional-order chaotic systems

This paper is devoted to synchronization of uncertain fractional-order chaotic systems with fractional-order α: 0 < α < 1 and 1 ≤ α < 2, respectively. On the basis of the stability theory of fractional-order differential system and the observer-based robust control, two sufficient and necessary conditions for synchronizing uncertain fractional-order chaotic systems with parameter perturbations are presented in terms of linear matrix inequality, which is an efficient method and could be easily solved by the toolbox of MATLAB. Finally, fractional-order uncertain chaotic Lü system with fractional-order α = 0.95 and fractional-order uncertain chaotic Lorenz system with fractional-order α = 1.05 are taken as numerical examples to show the validity and feasibility of the proposed method.

Lag synchronization of unknown chaotic delayed Yang-Yang-type fuzzy neural networks with noise perturbation based on adaptive control and parameter identification

This paper considers the lag synchronization (LS) issue of unknown coupled chaotic delayed Yang-Yang-type fuzzy neural networks (YYFCNN) with noise perturbation. Separate research work has been published on the stability of fuzzy neural network and LS issue of unknown coupled chaotic neural networks, as well as its application in secure communication. However, there have not been any studies that integrate the two. Motivated by the achievements from both fields, we explored the benefits of integrating fuzzy logic theories into the study of LS problems and applied the findings to secure communication. Based on adaptive feedback control techniques and suitable parameter identification, several sufficient conditions are developed to guarantee the LS of coupled chaotic delayed YYFCNN with or without noise perturbation. The problem studied in this paper is more general in many aspects. Various problems studied extensively in the literature can be treated as special cases of the findings of this paper, such as complete synchronization (CS), effect of fuzzy logic, and noise perturbation. This paper presents an illustrative example and uses simulated results of this example to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed adaptive scheme. This research also demonstrates the effectiveness of application of the proposed adaptive feedback scheme in secure communication by comparing chaotic masking with fuzziness with some previous studies. Chaotic signal with fuzziness is more complex, which makes unmasking more difficult due to the added fuzzy logic.

Bifurcation analysis of solitary and synchronized pulses and formation of reentrant waves in laterally coupled excitable fibers

We study the dynamics of a reaction-diffusion system comprising two mutually coupled excitable fibers. We consider a case in which the dynamical properties of the two fibers are nonidentical due to the parameter mismatch between them. By using the spatially one-dimensional FitzHugh-Nagumo equations as a model of a single excitable fiber, synchronized pulses are found to be stable in some parameter regime. Furthermore, there exists a critical coupling strength beyond which the synchronized pulses are stable for any amount of parameter mismatch. We show the bifurcation structures of the synchronized and solitary pulses and identify a codimension-2 cusp singularity as the source of the destabilization of synchronized pulses. When stable solitary pulses in both fibers disappear via a saddle-node bifurcation on increasing the coupling strength, a reentrant wave is formed. The parameter region, where a stable reentrant wave is observed in direct numerical simulation, is consistent with that obtained by bifurcation analysis.

Effect of multiple time delays on intensity fluctuation dynamics in fiber ring lasers

The effect of time delay on nonlinear oscillators is an important problem in the study of dynamical systems. The dynamics of an erbium-doped fiber ring laser with an extra loop providing time-delayed feedback is studied experimentally by measuring the intensity of the laser. The delay time for the feedback is varied from approximately 0.3 to approximately 900 times the cavity round-trip time, over four orders of magnitude, by changing the length of fiber in the delay line. Depending on the delay, we observe either regular oscillations or complex dynamics. The size of the fluctuations increases for delays long compared with the round-trip time of the laser cavity. The complexity of the fluctuations is quantified by creating spatiotemporal representations of the time series and performing a Karhunen-Loève decomposition. The complexity increases with increasing delay time. The experiment is extended by mutually coupling two fiber ring lasers together. The delay time for the mutual coupling is varied from approximately 0.2 to approximately 600 times the cavity round-trip time, over four orders of magnitude again. In this case the fluctuations are generally larger than the single laser case. The complexity of the dynamics for the mutually coupled system is less at short delays and larger at long delays when compared to the uncoupled case. The width of the optical spectra of the coupled lasers also narrows.

Hash function based on chaotic map lattices

A new hash function system, based on coupled chaotic map dynamics, is suggested. By combining floating point computation of chaos and some simple algebraic operations, the system reaches very high bit confusion and diffusion rates, and this enables the system to have desired statistical properties and strong collision resistance. The chaos-based hash function has its advantages for high security and fast performance, and it serves as one of the most highly competitive candidates for practical applications of hash function for software realization and secure information communications in computer networks.

Adaptive synchronization of neural networks with or without time-varying delay

In this paper, based on the invariant principle of functional differential equations, a simple, analytical, and rigorous adaptive feedback scheme is proposed for the synchronization of almost all kinds of coupled identical neural networks with time-varying delay, which can be chaotic, periodic, etc. We do not assume that the concrete values of the connection weight matrix and the delayed connection weight matrix are known. We show that two coupled identical neural networks with or without time-varying delay can achieve synchronization by enhancing the coupling strength dynamically. The update gain of coupling strength can be properly chosen to adjust the speed of achieving synchronization. Also, it is quite robust against the effect of noise and simple to implement in practice. In addition, numerical simulations are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed synchronization method.

Synchronization in nonidentical complex Ginzburg-Landau equations

A cross-correlation coefficient of complex fields has been investigated for diagnosing spatiotemporal synchronization behavior of coupled complex fields. We have also generalized the subsystem synchronization way established in low-dimensional systems to one- and two-dimensional Ginzburg-Landau equations. By applying the indicator to examine the synchronization behavior of coupled Ginzburg-Landau equations, it is shown that our subsystem approach may be of better synchronization performance than the linear feedback method. For the linear feedback Ginzburg-Landau equation, the nonidentical system exhibits generalized synchronization characteristics in both amplitude and phase. However, the nonidentical subsystem may exhibit complete-like synchronization properties. The difference between complex fields for driven and response systems gives a linear scaling with the change of their parameter difference.

Adaptive complete synchronization of two identical or different chaotic (hyperchaotic) systems with fully unknown parameters

This paper studies the adaptive complete synchronization of chaotic and hyperchaotic systems with fully unknown parameters. In practical situations, some systems' parameters cannot be exactly known a priori, and the uncertainties often affect the stability of the process of synchronization of the chaotic oscillators. An adaptive scheme is proposed to compensate for the effects of parameters' uncertainty based on the structure of chaotic systems in this paper. Based on the Lyapunov stability theorem, an adaptive controller and a parameters update law can be designed for the synchronization of chaotic and hyperchaotic systems. The drive and response systems can be nonidentical, even with different order. Three illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the validity of this technique, and numerical simulations are also given to show the effectiveness of the proposed chaos synchronization method. In addition, this synchronization scheme is quite robust against the effect of noise.

Chaos-based communications at high bit rates using commercial fibre-optic links

Chaotic signals have been proposed as broadband information carriers with the potential of providing a high level of robustness and privacy in data transmission. Laboratory demonstrations of chaos-based optical communications have already shown the potential of this technology, but a field experiment using commercial optical networks has not been undertaken so far. Here we demonstrate high-speed long-distance communication based on chaos synchronization over a commercial fibre-optic channel. An optical carrier wave generated by a chaotic laser is used to encode a message for transmission over 120 km of optical fibre in the metropolitan area network of Athens, Greece. The message is decoded using an appropriate second laser which, by synchronizing with the chaotic carrier, allows for the separation of the carrier and the message. Transmission rates in the gigabit per second range are achieved, with corresponding bit-error rates below 10(-7). The system uses matched pairs of semiconductor lasers as chaotic emitters and receivers, and off-the-shelf fibre-optic telecommunication components. Our results show that information can be transmitted at high bit rates using deterministic chaos in a manner that is robust to perturbations and channel disturbances unavoidable under real-world conditions.

Spatial synchronization of regular optical patterns

We investigate an extended, nonlinear optical experiment, exhibiting the spontaneous formation of hexagonal patterns out of a stationary bifurcation. The system is exposed to a two-dimensional spatially periodic forcing, namely, static hexagonal patterns, under variation of their spatial periodicity. Parameters are the strength of the forcing and the distance to pattern forming threshold. The system response is quantitatively characterized with different methods. We observe several locking regimes, where the system is entrained by the forcing. Most of the locking regimes can be related to resonances between the different critical wave numbers and the forcing wave number or its spatial harmonics. One particular locking appears to result from two of these simple resonances in a kind of generalized order m:n synchronization. The width of the locking regimes increases with forcing strength, apparently representing a spatial analog of Arnold tongues.

Universal critical behavior of the synchronization transition in delayed chaotic systems

We numerically investigate the critical behavior of the synchronization transition of two unidirectionally coupled delayed chaotic systems. We map the problem to a spatially extended system to show that the synchronization transition in delayed systems exhibits universal critical properties. We find that the synchronization transition is absorbing and generically belongs to the universality class of the bounded Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation, as occurs in the case of extended systems. We also argue that directed percolation critical behavior may emerge for systems with strong nonlinearities.

Chaotic synchronization of coupled electron-wave systems with backward waves

The chaotic synchronization of two electron-wave media with interacting backward waves and cubic phase nonlinearity is investigated in the paper. To detect the chaotic synchronization regime we use a new approach, the so-called time scale synchronization [Chaos 14, 603-610 (2004)]. This approach is based on the consideration of the infinite set of chaotic signals' phases introduced by means of continuous wavelet transform. The complex space-time dynamics of the active media and mechanisms of the time scale synchronization appearance are considered.

Synchronized pseudorandom systems and their application to speech communication

An approach to the synchronization of pseudorandom systems is proposed and applied to secure speech communication. The encoding signal produced by the pseudorandom synchronization scheme passes the random test, and shows much more complex dynamics, better random properties, and greater sensitivity to parameter mismatches than that produced by the active-passive decomposition scheme. Also, two coupled pseudorandom systems can be exactly synchronized despite their different initial states or seeds. Pseudorandom encoding and synchronization may yield great security in communication.

A new spatiotemporally chaotic cryptosystem and its security and performance analyses

A one-way-coupled chaotic map lattice is proposed for cryptography of self-synchronizing stream cipher. The system performs basic floating-point analytical computation on real numbers, incorporating auxiliarily with few simple algebraic operations on integer numbers. Parallel encryption (decryption) operations of multiple chaotic sites are conducted. It is observed that the system has high practical security, fast encryption (decryption) speed with software realization, and excellent reliability against strong channel noise, and its overall cryptographic properties are considerably better than both known chaotic cryptosystems and currently used conventional cryptosystems, including the advanced encryption standard.

Generalized synchronization of spatiotemporal chaos in a liquid crystal spatial light modulator

We demonstrate generalized synchronization in a spatiotemporal chaotic system, a liquid crystal spatial light modulator with optoelectronic feedback.

Experimental synchronization of spatiotemporal disorder

We report experimental evidence of a time-lag synchronization of spatiotemporal complexity. The experiments were performed on two unidirectionally coupled, nonlinear-optical systems of single-feedback type. Synchronization was investigated for different degrees of complexity of the spontaneous structures, which were analyzed with cross-correlation functions and mutual information. Numerical simulations yield comparable results and throw a light on the impeding role of spatial inhomogeneities.

Chaotic behaviors of operational amplifiers

We investigate nonlinear dynamical behaviors of operational amplifiers. When the output terminal of an operational amplifier is connected to the inverting input terminal, the circuit exhibits period-doubling bifurcation, chaos, and periodic windows, depending on the voltages of the positive and the negative power supplies. We study these nonlinear dynamical characteristics of this electronic circuit experimentally.

Propagation of desynchronous disturbances in synchronized chaotic one-way coupled map lattices

Propagations of desynchronous perturbations in synchronization processes of spatiotemporal chaos are investigated by considering chaotic one-way coupled map lattices. Under large coupling approximation the desynchronous area in time space is analytically calculated, based on the concepts of comoving Lyapunov exponent and absolute largest Lyapunov exponent. The ideas used in this paper are expected to be applicable to synchronizations of spatiotemporally chaotic systems of coupled maps and coupled oscillators with convective instability.

Error function attack of chaos synchronization based encryption schemes

Different chaos synchronization based encryption schemes are reviewed and compared from the practical point of view. As an efficient cryptanalysis tool for chaos encryption, a proposal based on the error function attack is presented systematically and used to evaluate system security. We define a quantitative measure (quality factor) of the effective applicability of a chaos encryption scheme, which takes into account the security, the encryption speed, and the robustness against channel noise. A comparison is made of several encryption schemes and it is found that a scheme based on one-way coupled chaotic map lattices performs outstandingly well, as judged from quality factor.

Statistics of rare strong bursts in autocatalytic stochastic growth with diffusion

A general model of autocatalytic stochastic growth with diffusion is analytically and numerically investigated. Exact analytical results for the intermittency exponents and the probability of rare strong bursts in an infinite system are presented. Finite-size saturation effects, leading to the stretched exponential growth of statistical moments, are further considered. These analytical predictions are checked in numerical simulations.

Possible disruption of remote viewing by complex weak magnetic fields around the stimulus site and the possibility of accessing real phase space: a pilot study

In 2002 Persinger, Roll, Tiller, Koren, and Cook considered whether there are physical processes by which recondite information exists within the space and time of objects or events. The stimuli that compose this information might be directly detected within the whole brain without being processed by the typical sensory modalities. We tested the artist Ingo Swann who can reliably draw and describe randomly selected photographs sealed in envelopes in another room. In the present experiment the photographs were immersed continuously in repeated presentations (5 times per sec.) of one of two types of computer-generated complex magnetic field patterns whose intensities were less than 20 nT over most of the area. WINDOWS-generated but not DOS-generated patterns were associated with a marked decrease in Mr. Swann's accuracy. Whereas the DOS software generated exactly the same pattern, WINDOWS software phase-modulated the actual wave form resulting in an infinite bandwidth and complexity. We suggest that information obtained by processes attributed to "paranormal" phenomena have physical correlates that can be masked by weak, infinitely variable magnetic fields.

Critical properties of the synchronization transition in space-time chaos

We study two coupled spatially extended dynamical systems which exhibit space-time chaos. The transition to the synchronized state is treated as a nonequilibrium phase transition, where the average synchronization error is the order parameter. The transition in one-dimensional systems is found to be generically in the universality class of the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang equation with a growth-limiting term ("bounded KPZ"). For systems with very strong nonlinearities in the local dynamics, however, the transition is found to be in the universality class of directed percolation.

Remote viewing with the artist Ingo Swann: neuropsychological profile, electroencephalographic correlates, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and possible mechanisms

In the present study, the artist Ingo Swann, who helped develop the process of remote viewing (awareness of distant objects or places without employing normal senses), was exposed during a single setting of 30 min. to specific patterns of circumcerebral magnetic fields that significantly altered his subjective experiences. Several times during subsequent days, he was asked to sit in a quiet chamber and to sketch and to describe verbally distant stimuli (pictures or places) beyond his normal senses. The proportions of unusual 7-Hz spike and slow wave activity over the occipital lobes per trial were moderately correlated (rho=.50) with the ratings of accuracy between these distal, hidden stimuli and his responses. A neuropsychological assessment and Magnetic Resonance Imaging indicated a different structural and functional organization within the parieto-occipital region of the subject's right hemisphere from organizations typically noted. The results suggest that this type of paranormal phenomenon, often dismissed as methodological artifact or accepted as proofs of spiritual existence, is correlated with neurophysiological processes and physical events. Remote viewing may be enhanced by complex experimentally generated magnetic fields designed to interact with the neuromagnetic "binding factor" of consciousness.

Spatial periodic synchronization of chaos in coupled ring and linear arrays of chaotic systems

Dynamic behaviors of coupled ring and linear arrays of unidirectionally coupled Lorenz oscillators are studied numerically. It is found that the chaotic rotating waves generated from the ring propagate with spatial periodic synchronization along the linear array, that is to say, two chaotic oscillators in the linear array are synchronized if the number of oscillators (spatial distance) between them is a multiple of oscillator number in the ring. Numerically it is shown that the stabilities of the synchronized states are enhanced by chaos, and degraded when the oscillators are far from the ring.

Achronal generalized synchronization in mutually coupled semiconductor lasers

Heil et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 795 (2001)] recently discovered achronal synchronization of chaos in mutually coupled semiconductor lasers. This paper offers an analytic interpretation of their experiment using a simple rate equation model. Local eigenvalue analysis shows that isochronal synchronization is unstable; achronal synchronization, on the other hand, is stable if a generalized synchronization function is introduced. Single- and multimode simulations have substantiated this rate equation interpretation. Finally, there is a brief examination of "chaos pass filtering."