Dynamical instabilities and chaos in lasers

Mathematical discoveries are revolutionizing our understanding of nonlinear science. Our preconceived ideas about physical systems behaving in a predictable manner are no longer tenable. Chaos and related dynamical instabilities are now known to be inherent features of many nonlinear physical systems. Furthermore, the transitions from steady to chaotic states are universal, occurring independently of the physical properties of the system. Such behaviour is abundant in lasers. These essentially simple systems, both in construction and in the mathematics that describe them, provide excellent opportunities for investigating nonlinear dynamical behaviour as well as for further technological innovation.