Noise, chaos and coherence collapse in semiconductor lasers

Semiconductor lasers are becoming increasingly more important; both in industrial applications and as tools and research subject for the experimental physicist. They are the light source in the compact disc and laservision systems and are abundantly used in optical communication systems. In all such applications optical feedback occurs. Owing to reflections from the disc or the end of the glass fibre, light is reflected back into the laser. The noise and coherence properties appear to be quite sensitive to such optical feedback.