Theory of optical multistability and chaos in a resonant-type semiconductor laser amplifier

Multistable light amplifications and self-pulsations in a resonant-type semiconductor laser diode (LD) amplifier are predicted. A basic idea is derived from the active layer refractive index dependence on carrier density. An LD amplifier is shown to act as a high-Q nonlinear Fabry-Perot interferometer with true optical gain and nonlinear refraction. Periodic and chaotic self-pulsations are shown to occur in the regime where the delay time of the feedback is smaller than the carrier lifetime.