Chimera states in a large laterally coupled laser array with four different waveguide structures

Chimera states are rich and fascinating phenomena existing in many networks, where the identical oscillators self-organize into spatially separated coexisting domains of coherent and incoherent oscillations. Here, we report these states in the large laterally coupled laser array with four different waveguiding structures, with which a variety of chimera patterns can be revealed. We present the bifurcation diagrams giving birth to them and find that the chimeras exist in the boundary of the steady state and multi-period oscillation solutions, which applies to all the prevalent waveguiding structures considered. We also find that the waveguiding structures play an important role in the chimera states, e.g., the array composed of the index antiguiding with gain-guiding has a wider chimera region compared to other waveguides considered. Additionally, the effects of the crucial parameters including the laser separation ratio, pump rate, frequency detuning, and linewidth enhancement factor on the observed phenomena are discussed. Our analysis shows that the frequency detuning between lasers and the linewidth enhancement factor affects the lifetime and pattern of chimeras. The results could guide the design of laser arrays or introduce more insight into a new understanding of the dynamical behaviors of networks.

Automated summary

We observed chimera states in a large laterally coupled laser array with four different waveguiding structures, where identical oscillators self-organize into spatially separated coexisting domains of coherent and incoherent oscillations. Bifurcation diagrams were presented to show the birth of these chimeras, and it was found that chimeras exist in the boundary between steady state and multi-period oscillation solutions, applicable to all prevalent waveguiding structures considered. The waveguiding structures were also found to play an important role in the chimera states, with the array composed of index antiguiding with gain-guiding having a wider chimera region compared to other waveguides considered. Furthermore, the effects of crucial parameters such as laser separation ratio, pump rate, frequency detuning, and linewidth enhancement factor on the observed phenomena were discussed.