2026-04-17T13:56:37Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:2117/3404442026-02-02T09:24:46Zcom_2072_1033col_2072_452950

Experimental study of the neuron-like dynamics of a semiconductor laser with optical feedback and current modulation Tiana Alsina, Jordi Quintero Quiroz, Carlos Alberto Masoller Alonso, Cristina Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Departament de Física Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. DONLL - Dinàmica no Lineal, Òptica no Lineal i Làsers Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Física Semiconductor lasers Neurons Photonics Diodes Semiconductor lasers Diode lasers Optical feedback Excitable lasers Neuromorphic photonics Làsers de semiconductors Neurones Fotònica Díodes Excitable lasers that mimic neuronal activity can be building blocks of ultra-fast neuro-inspired information processing systems, which can revolutionize the fields of optical signal processing, optical computing and artificial intelligence. To implement such photonic neurons, we must first identify low-cost and energy-efficient lasers whose excitable dynamics mimics neuronal dynamics. Here we conduct an experimental study of the dynamics of a diode laser with optical feedback from an external cavity. We focus on the response of the laser when is under weak periodic perturbations that are implemented via direct modulation of the laser pump current. We consider sinusoidal and pulsed waveforms. The dynamics of the laser intensity is compared with the dynamics of the membrane potential of a neuron, which is simulated with the FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) model. The analysis of the statistics of the time intervals between dropouts of the laser intensity (optical spikes) and of the time intervals between the neuron's action potentials (or spikes) unveils similarities, and also differences. The analysis of the spike rate reveals a variation with the amplitude and with the frequency of the external signal that is similar for both, the laser and the FHN neuron. Therefore, in terms of the spike rate, the laser response to a weak periodic signal mimics the response of a FHN neuron, and thus diode lasers with optical feedback can be used to implement photonic neurons. A drawback of this implementation is the length of the feedback cavity, which prevents on-chip integration. This work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (PGC2018- 099443-B-I00). C. M. also acknowledges support of the ICREA ACADEMIA, Generalitat de Catalunya. Peer Reviewed Postprint (author's final draft) 2020 Conference report Tiana-Alsina, J.; Quintero-Quiroz, C.; Masoller, C. Experimental study of the neuron-like dynamics of a semiconductor laser with optical feedback and current modulation. A: Semiconductor Lasers and Laser Dynamics. "Semiconductor Lasers and Laser Dynamics IX: SPIE proceedings volume 11356: SPIE photonics Europe, 6-10 April 2020, online only, France". Washington: International Society for Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), p. 1-6. DOI 10.1117/12.2555792. https://hdl.handle.net/2117/340444 10.1117/12.2555792 eng https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/11356/113560T/Experimental-study-of-the-neuron-like-dynamics-of-a-semiconductor/10.1117/12.2555792.short info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/AEI/Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2017-2020/PGC2018-099443-B-I00/ES/SISTEMAS DINAMICOS COMPLEJOS Y HERRAMIENTAS AVANZADAS DE ANALISIS DE DATOS/ Open Access 6 p. application/pdf International Society for Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)