Pseudo-spatial coherence resonance in an excitable laser with long delayed feedback

The effect of noise in an excitable semiconductor laser with feedback is studied in the framework of the spatio-temporal representation of long delayed systems. Propagation, noise-induced creation, and destruction of excitable pulses in the pseudo time are observed. The addition of a variable quantity of noise leads to the occurrence of a phenomenon that we term "pseudo-spatial coherence resonance." A phenomenological model well describes the system and allows for a comparison with the experimental observations. A simple Monte Carlo approach is also introduced and permits to explain the features observed in terms of the key dynamical ingredients of the physical system.