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International audience; The new paradigm of parity-time symmetry in quantum mechanics has readily been applied in the field of optics with numerous demonstrations of exotic properties in photonic systems. In this work we report on the implementation of single frequency electrically injected DFB lasers based on Parity-Time symmetric dual gratings in a standard ridge waveguide configuration. We demonstrate enhanced modal discrimination for these devices as compared with index or gain coupled ones, fabricated in the same technology run. Optical transmission probing experiments further show asymmetric amplification in the light propagation confirming the Parity-Time symmetry signature of unidirectional light behavior. Another asset of these complex coupled devices is further highlighted in terms of robustness to optical feedback.

The fringe disappearance phenomenon in the self-mixing interferometry occurs whenever the external round-trip phase at free-running state is modulated by either external modulation such as external cavity length changes or internal modulation when the laser injection current is modulated with a high back-scattered light power. This phenomenon has been observed by many authors in the context of harmonic motion or vibration application. The core issue in this configuration is the unfeasibility to maintain a constant feedback level over the target course due mostly to speckle or an imperfect alignment. To the best of our knowledge, no accurate explanations or theories on the mechanism on the fringe disappearance phenomenon have been published so far. In this thesis, a novel approach that depicts the mechanism of interferometric fringes disappearance is proposed that highlights with a new perspective the impact of the coupling strength between the laser diode and the external cavity on the number of missing fringes. An absolute distance measurement has been set where the laser diode is operated with modulation of the injection current in the triangle waveform.As compared to the vibration sensing scheme, the absolute distance approach guarantees a stable feedback level thus allowing for more repeatable experiment conditions. The observed experimental results show an agreement with the proposed model on this phenomenon which is based on the excess phase equation. There is also a remarkable demonstration both experimentally and theoretically that the number of missing fringes in the SMI signal can be different between the first modulation ramp as compared to others., Le phénomène de disparition des franges dans l'interférométrie à rétro-injection optique se produit chaque fois que la phase externe de laser à l'état de fonctionnement libre est modulée par une modulation externe telle que des changements de longueur de cavité externe ou une modulation interne, c’est-à-dire le courant d'injection laser est modulé, avec un retour élevé de la puissance lumineuse de la cible. Ce phénomène a été observé par de nombreux auteurs dans le cadre de l'application de mouvements harmoniques ou de vibrations. Le problème dans cette configuration est l'impossibilité de maintenir un niveau de rétro-injection optique constant sur la cible en raison principalement de l’effet Speckle ou d'un alignement imparfait. A notre connaissance, aucune explication ou théorie précise sur le mécanisme du phénomène de disparition de franges n'a été publiée à ce jour. Dans cette thèse, une nouvelle approche qui décrit le mécanisme de disparition des franges interférométriques est proposée qui met en évidence avec une nouvelle perspective l'impact de la force de couplage entre la diode laser et la cavité externe sur le nombre de franges disparus.Une mesure de distance absolue a été définie où le courant d'injection de diode laser est modulé dans la forme de triangulaire. Par rapport au schéma de détection des vibrations, l'approche de distance absolue garantit un niveau de rétro-injection optique stable permettant ainsi des conditions d'expérience plus reproductibles. Les résultats expérimentaux observés montrent une concordance avec le modèle proposé sur ce phénomène qui est basé sur l'équation de phase. Il y a aussi une démonstration remarquable à la fois expérimentalement et théoriquement que le nombre de franges disparus dans le signal SMI peut être différent entre la première rampe de modulation par rapport aux autres.

National audience; The fringe disappearance phenomenon in the self-mixing interferometry occurs whenever the external round-trip phase at free-running state is modulated by either external modulation such as external cavity length changes or internal modulation when the laser injection current is modulated with a high back-scattered light power. This phenomenon has been observed by many authors in the context of harmonic motion or vibration application. The core issue in this configuration is the unfeasibility to maintain a constant feedback level over the target course due mostly to speckle or an imperfect alignment. To the best of our knowledge, no accurate explanations or theories on the mechanism on the fringe disappearance phenomenon have been published so far. In this thesis, a novel approach that depicts the mechanism of interferometric fringes disappearance is proposed that highlights with a new perspective the impact of the coupling strength between the laser diode and the external cavity on the number of missing fringes. An absolute distance measurement has been set where the laser diode is operated with modulation of the injection current in the triangle waveform.As compared to the vibration sensing scheme, the absolute distance approach guarantees a stable feedback level thus allowing for more repeatable experiment conditions. The observed experimental results show an agreement with the proposed model on this phenomenon which is based on the excess phase equation. There is also a remarkable demonstration both experimentally and theoretically that the number of missing fringes in the SMI signal can be different between the first modulation ramp as compared to others.; Le phénomène de disparition des franges dans l'interférométrie à rétro-injection optique se produit chaque fois que la phase externe de laser à l'état de fonctionnement libre est modulée par une modulation externe telle que des changements de longueur de cavité externe ou une modulation interne, c’est-à-dire le courant d'injection laser est modulé, avec un retour élevé de la puissance lumineuse de la cible. Ce phénomène a été observé par de nombreux auteurs dans le cadre de l'application de mouvements harmoniques ou de vibrations. Le problème dans cette configuration est l'impossibilité de maintenir un niveau de rétro-injection optique constant sur la cible en raison principalement de l’effet Speckle ou d'un alignement imparfait. A notre connaissance, aucune explication ou théorie précise sur le mécanisme du phénomène de disparition de franges n'a été publiée à ce jour. Dans cette thèse, une nouvelle approche qui décrit le mécanisme de disparition des franges interférométriques est proposée qui met en évidence avec une nouvelle perspective l'impact de la force de couplage entre la diode laser et la cavité externe sur le nombre de franges disparus.Une mesure de distance absolue a été définie où le courant d'injection de diode laser est modulé dans la forme de triangulaire. Par rapport au schéma de détection des vibrations, l'approche de distance absolue garantit un niveau de rétro-injection optique stable permettant ainsi des conditions d'expérience plus reproductibles. Les résultats expérimentaux observés montrent une concordance avec le modèle proposé sur ce phénomène qui est basé sur l'équation de phase. Il y a aussi une démonstration remarquable à la fois expérimentalement et théoriquement que le nombre de franges disparus dans le signal SMI peut être différent entre la première rampe de modulation par rapport aux autres.

This work reports on an investigation of the optical feedback in an InAs/InGaAs passively mode-locked quantum dot (QD) laser epitaxially grown on silicon. Under the stably-resonant optical feedback condition, experiments demonstrate that the radio-frequency linewidth is narrowed whatever the bias voltage applied on the saturable absorber (SA) is; on the other hand, the effective linewidth enhancement factor of the device increases with the reverse bias voltage on the SA, hence it is observed that such an increase influences the mode-locking dynamic and the stability of device under optical feedback. This work gives insights for stabilizing epitaxial QD mode-locked lasers on silicon which is meaningful for their applications in future large-scale silicon electronic and photonic applications requiring low power consumption as well as for high-speed photonic analog-to-digital conversion, intrachip/interchip optical clock distribution and recovery.

International audience; Measurement and 3D imaging of acoustic waves through the acousto-optic effect has recently been demonstrated by means of Optical Feedback Interferometry (OFI). In this paper we study experimentally the lower limits of detection of an acoustic wave using an OFI sensor. We show that the OFI sensor exhibits a linear response to acoustic power variations, and we obtain a lower limit of detection of 83 dB rms for a planar acoustic wave at 3 kHz. We also determine the equivalent displacement, that is seen by the OFI sensor at this pressure level, to be 96 pm. A deeper understanding of the limits of the technology and the quantification of the acousto-optic effect shall help improve the applications already created for the measurement of acoustic pressure waves using OFI.

International audience; This work reports on the optical feedback dynamics of InAs/GaAs QD lasers epitaxially grown on silicon operating in both the short and long delay regimes. Both undoped and p-doped QD lasers are considered. Whatever the external cavity length, no chaotic oscillations are observed on both samples as a result of the small α-factor observed in the silicon QD lasers. Despite that, experiments conducted in the short-cavity region raise period-one oscillation for the undoped QD laser. In addition, the transition from the short to long delay regimes can be finely covered by varying the external cavity length from 5 cm to 50 cm, and the boundaries associated to the appearance of the periodic oscillation are identified. In the short-cavity region, boundaries show some residual undulations resulting from interferences between internal and external cavity modes; whereas in the long-delay regime, the feedback ratio delimiting the boundaries keeps decreasing, until it progressively becomes rather independent of the external cavity length. Overall, our results showed that the p-doped device clearly exhibits a much higher tolerance to the different external feedback conditions than the undoped one, seeing that its periodic oscillation boundaries are barely impossible to retrieve at the maximum feedback strength of-7 dB. These results show for the first time the p-modulation doping effect on the enhancement of feedback insensitivity in both short-and long-delay configurations, which is of paramount importance for the development of ultra-stable silicon transmitters for photonic technologies.

Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) have become key elements to perform broadband transmission and reception functions in optical communication networks. This thesis provides information on hybrid semiconductor lasers (SCL) consisting of an active layer of III-V materials on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate to jointly explode the emitting properties of III-V layers and the numerous advantages offered by Si for on-chip applications. Due to the significant technological developments in electronics, this hybrid approach is well positioned to meet the high volume requirements for short distance transmission and access networks at a lower cost. However, several challengest still exist such as the lack of effective light sources and isolator-free devices. From a monolithic perspective of a PIC hetereogeneous integration, it is essential to ensure that the parasitic reflections that may stem from multiple locations do not affect the stability of the laser. Specifically, III-V hybrid components on Si appear to have many potential sources of reflections that can create centimeter external cavities in addition to those naturally produced inside the fiber in the order of several meters. Therefore, the work presented herein aims at understanding the behavior of III-V/Si SCLs when subjected to a variation of optical feedback, explores the basics aspects of chaotic dynamics, and investigates potential applications suitable for optical telecommunication systems in an attempt to meet the existing an emerging high speed requirements.; Les circuits intègres photoniques (PIC) sont devenus des éléments clés pour effectuer des fonctions de transmission et de réception à large bande dans les réseaux de communication optique. Cette thèse fournit des informations sur les lasers a semi-conducteurs hybrides (SCL) constitués d’une couche active de matériaux III-V sur un substrat de silicium sur isolant (SOI) pour exploser conjointement les propriétés d’émission des couches III-V et les nombreux avantages offerts par Si pour les applications sur chip. En raison des développements technologiques importants en électronique, cette approche hybride est bien positionnée pour répondre aux exigences de transmission et d’accès à courte distance à moindre cout. Cependant, plusieurs défis subsistent, comme le manque de sources lumineuses efficaces et de dispositif sans isolateur. Du point de vue de l’intégration monolithique d’une intégration hétérogène PIC, il est essential de s’assurer que les réflexions parasites qui peuvent provenir de plusieurs emplacement n’affectent pas la stabilité du laser. Plus précisément, les composants hybrides III-V sur Si semblent avoir de nombreuses sources potentielles de réflexions qui peuvent créer des centimètres de cavités externes en plus de celles naturellement produites à l’intérieur de la fibre de l’ordre de plusieurs mètres. Par conséquent, le travail présenté ici vise à comprendre le comportement des SCL III-V/Si lorsqu’ils sont soumis à une variation de réaction optique, explore les aspects fondamentaux de la dynamique chaotique et étudie les applications potentielles adaptées aux systèmes de télécommunications optiques dans une tentative de répondre aux exigences existantes en matière de haute vitesse.

Photonic Integrated Circuits (PIC) have become key elements to perform broadband transmission and reception functions in optical communication networks. This thesis provides information on hybrid semiconductor lasers (SCL) consisting of an active layer of III-V materials on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate to jointly explode the emitting properties of III-V layers and the numerous advantages offered by Si for on-chip applications. Due to the significant technological developments in electronics, this hybrid approach is well positioned to meet the high volume requirements for short distance transmission and access networks at a lower cost. However, several challengest still exist such as the lack of effective light sources and isolator-free devices. From a monolithic perspective of a PIC hetereogeneous integration, it is essential to ensure that the parasitic reflections that may stem from multiple locations do not affect the stability of the laser. Specifically, III-V hybrid components on Si appear to have many potential sources of reflections that can create centimeter external cavities in addition to those naturally produced inside the fiber in the order of several meters. Therefore, the work presented herein aims at understanding the behavior of III-V/Si SCLs when subjected to a variation of optical feedback, explores the basics aspects of chaotic dynamics, and investigates potential applications suitable for optical telecommunication systems in an attempt to meet the existing an emerging high speed requirements., Les circuits intègres photoniques (PIC) sont devenus des éléments clés pour effectuer des fonctions de transmission et de réception à large bande dans les réseaux de communication optique. Cette thèse fournit des informations sur les lasers a semi-conducteurs hybrides (SCL) constitués d’une couche active de matériaux III-V sur un substrat de silicium sur isolant (SOI) pour exploser conjointement les propriétés d’émission des couches III-V et les nombreux avantages offerts par Si pour les applications sur chip. En raison des développements technologiques importants en électronique, cette approche hybride est bien positionnée pour répondre aux exigences de transmission et d’accès à courte distance à moindre cout. Cependant, plusieurs défis subsistent, comme le manque de sources lumineuses efficaces et de dispositif sans isolateur. Du point de vue de l’intégration monolithique d’une intégration hétérogène PIC, il est essential de s’assurer que les réflexions parasites qui peuvent provenir de plusieurs emplacement n’affectent pas la stabilité du laser. Plus précisément, les composants hybrides III-V sur Si semblent avoir de nombreuses sources potentielles de réflexions qui peuvent créer des centimètres de cavités externes en plus de celles naturellement produites à l’intérieur de la fibre de l’ordre de plusieurs mètres. Par conséquent, le travail présenté ici vise à comprendre le comportement des SCL III-V/Si lorsqu’ils sont soumis à une variation de réaction optique, explore les aspects fondamentaux de la dynamique chaotique et étudie les applications potentielles adaptées aux systèmes de télécommunications optiques dans une tentative de répondre aux exigences existantes en matière de haute vitesse.

International audience; This paper reviews experimental investigations of the route to chaos of a semiconductor laser subjected to optical feedback from a distant reflector. When the laser is biased close to threshold, as the feedback strength is increased, an alternation between stable continuous wave (CW) behavior and irregular, chaotic fluctuations, involving numerous external-cavity modes, is observed. CW operation occurs on an external-cavity mode whose optical frequency is significantly lower than that of the solitary laser. The scenario is significantly different for larger currents as the feedback level is increased. At low feedback, the laser displays periodic or quasiperiodic behavior, mostly around external-cavity modes whose frequency is slightly larger than that of the solitary laser. As the feedback level increases, the RF and optical frequencies involved progressively lock until complete locking is achieved in a mixed external-cavity mode state. In this regime, the optical intensity and voltage oscillate at a frequency that is also equal to the optical frequency spacing between the modes participating in the dynamics. For even higher feedback, the locking cannot be maintained and the laser displays fully developed coherence collapse.

Silicon photonics have been introduced to overcome low efficiency and high energy consumption of telecom links using twisted pairs or coaxial cables. This technology provides novel functionality and high performance for applications in high speed communication systems, short reach optical interconnects, and the deployment of optical links from chipto-chip, board-to-board or rack-to-rack (datacom). Silicon is known as a very efficient semiconductor material for waveguiding light in particular owing to the strong index contrast with silica. However, the indirect bandgap of silicon makes light emission from silicon inefficient, and other techniques such as wafer- or flipchip bonding must be investigated if light emission is to be realized. The drawbacks of such heterogeneous integration concentrate on the high cost and the limited scalability. Lasers heterogeneously integrated on silicon are also more sensitive to optical reflections originating from the transition between passive/active interfaces. The best way to overcome these drawbacks is to move on to direct epitaxial growth of IIIV materials on silicon for photonics integration. In this context, quantum dot lasers using semiconductor atoms as a gain medium are ideal because they enable smaller devices, amplification with large thermal stability and high tolerance to epitaxial defects. Ultra-low noise optical transmitters are required not only for the coherent systems but also for future chipscale atomic clocks and radar related applications because of the sensitivity to the frequency noise and intensity noise can strongly affect the bit error rates. To this end, the first part of the thesis reports an intrinsic spectral linewidth as low as 80 kHz and a relative intensity noise less than - 150 dB/Hz in InAs/InP quantum dot lasers. In particular, it is shown that a small vertical coupling is more suitable for low intensity noise operation due to the suppression of the carrier noise in the excited state. The second part of the thesis investigates the dynamic and nonlinear properties of epitaxial quantum dot lasers on silicon. As mentioned above, lasers heterogeneously integrated on silicon are more sensitive to parasitic reflections. When combined with external optical feedback, the laser stability can be dramatically affected. As no on-chip optical isolators integrated with lasers and having sufficient isolation ratio exist, the development of feedback insensitive transmitters remains a major objective. This thesis presents an error-free transmission of an epitaxial quantum dot laser on silicon externally modulated at 10 Gb/s and subjected to 100% optical feedback. Such remarkable feedback insensitivity directly results from the near-zero linewidth enhancement factor, the large damping factor, the strong contrast between the ground state and excited states and a shorter carrier lifetime. These results pave the way for future high-performance photonics integrated circuits on silicon operating without optical isolators., La photonique sur silicium permet de palier au faible rendement et la consommation énergétique élevée des liens télécoms exploitant les câbles à paires torsadées ou les câbles coaxiaux. Cette technologie offre une versatilité exceptionnelle, de nouvelles fonctionnalités et des performances accrues pour les communications à haut-débit, les systèmes d’interconnexions optiques à courte portée et le déploiement de liaisons optiques d’une puce à une autre, d’une carte à une autre, ou d’un rack à un autre (datacom). Le silicium est un matériau semi-conducteur très efficace pour le guidage de la lumière, notamment en raison du fort contraste d’indice avec la silice. Cependant, sa bande interdite indirecte ne permet pas une émission radiative efficace. La réalisation de lasers repose donc sur des technologies hybrides de collage ou de report du matériau actif III- V (wafer-bonding, flip-chip) sur le silicium passif. Cependant, cette intégration hétérogène présente des inconvénients comme par exemple un coût élevé et une évolutivité limitée. Les lasers hybrides sur silicium sont aussi plus sensibles aux réflexions parasites provenant des transitions des différentes interfaces passives/actives. Un moyen permettant de surmonter ces inconvénients consiste à faire croître directement le matériau III-V sur le silicium. Dans ce contexte, les lasers à boîtes quantiques utilisant des atomes semi-conducteurs comme milieu de gain sont des candidats très prometteurs en raison de leur compacité, de leur grande stabilité thermique et d’une tolérance accrue aux défauts structuraux. Certaines applications comme les systèmes cohérents, les futures horloges atomiques intégrées sur puces et les radars où la sensibilité aux bruits de fréquence et d’intensité influe fortement le taux d’erreur binaire requièrent l’utilisation d’émetteurs optiques à très faible bruit. Dans une première partie, cette thèse révèle le potentiel de lasers à boîtes quantiques InAs/InP présentant une largeur de raie spectrale intrinsèque de 80 kHz et un bruit relatif d’intensité inférieur à -150 dB/Hz. A cet effet, il est montré qu’un faible couplage vertical entre les états liés est plus approprié pour une réduction du bruit d’intensité notamment grâce à la suppression du bruit de porteurs associée à l’état excité. Dans une deuxième partie, les propriétés dynamiques et non- linéaires des lasers à boîtes quantiques directement épitaxiés sur silicium sont étudiées. Comme susmentionné, les lasers intégrés de manière hétérogène sur le silicium sont plus sensibles aux réflexions parasites. Combinées à une rétroaction optique externe, la stabilité du laser peut s’en trouver fortement affectée. Sachant qu’il n’existe pas à ce jour d’isolateurs optiques intégrés sur puce ayant un taux d’isolation suffisant, le développement d’émetteurs insensibles aux rétroactions est un objectif majeur. Cette thèse présente notamment un résultat de transmission sans erreur à partir d’un laser à boîtes quantique directement épitaxié sur silicium soumis à une modulation externe à 10 Gb/s ainsi qu’à une rétroaction optique maximale de 100%. Cette insensibilité aux réflexions résulte de plusieurs propriétés remarquables comme un facteur d’élargissement spectral proche de zéro, un facteur d’amortissement élevé, un fort contraste entre les seuils d’émission des états liés, et une durée de vie des porteurs plus courte. Ces résultats permettent d’envisager le développement de futurs circuits intégrés photoniques sur silicium à haute performance et fonctionnant sans isolateur optique.

Distributed-feedback (DFB) fiber lasers can sustain the oscillation of two orthogonal polarizations at different frequencies, due to the fiber Bragg grating UV-induced birefringence [1]. Such dual-frequency fiber lasers (DFFL) are promising as heterodyne sources but, in the context of microwave photonics, the stabilization of the beat frequency becomes necessary. Locking the beat frequency of a dual-frequency laser to a local oscillator by optical frequency-shifted feedback (FSF) has been proved to be efficient [2], and can be applied in principle to any dual-polarization laser. Here we investigate this FSF method to an Er3+-doped DFB fiber laser, resulting in an all-fibered system emitting a stabilized beat note at 1 GHz.

International audience; The first InGaN-based LDs were reported in 1996 by Nakamura and co-workers [1] and commercialized from 1999 by the Nichia Corporation. Since then, huge efforts have been devoted to the optimization of the epitaxial layers (doping, defect concentration, shortening of the radiative lifetime, etc.). Nowadays, blue laser diodes emitting hundreds of mW are commercially available but they often exhibit multimode behaviors for both transverse and longitudinal directions. The InGaN-based laser diode technology is still in its infancy, compared to its long wavelength counterparts and only recently the first electrically pumped single mode blue laser diodes have been demonstrated [2] with a resolution limited linewidth of 11.7 GHz. At telecom wavelengths, a mature approach to force the laser diode in a single frequency regime consists in using an external feedback by means of Fiber Bragg Grating [3,4]. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, such a compact design has not been proposed for blue laser diodes yet.

National audience; The beating frequency of 1.5 µm dual polarization DFB fiber lasers is shown to be stabilized at 1 GHz by means of an optical frequency-shifted feedback loop. It leads to an optically carried RF source with sub-Hz linewidth. The width of the locking range is proportional to the reinjection rate. Such dual-frequency stabilized laser could provide compact integrated components for RF and microwave photonics applications.

International audience; This letter reports on a 1.3-µm reflection insensitive transmission with a quantum dot laser directly grown on silicon in the presence of strong optical feedback. These results show a penalty-free transmission at 10 GHz under external modulation with −7.4-dB optical feedback. The feedback insensitivity results from the low linewidth enhancement factor, the high damping, the absence of off-resonance emission states, and the shorter carrier lifetime. This letter paves the way for future on chip high-speed integrated circuits operating without optical isolators.

International audience; A relatively simple and stable microwave oscillator tunable across the full X-band is achieved. The microwave oscillations are self-generated limit-cycles produced by a laser diode subjected to optical feedback from a mirror. Further, the oscillations are stabilized utilizing two techniques in tandem, the first being a resonance effect based on locking the two inherent timescales of the laser, and the second being optoelectronic feedback. The resulting stable oscillations are fully tunable across the X-band from 5.5 to 12.1 GHz with typical phase noise performance of -107 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset. Further, the system is relatively simple by not requiring multiple lasers, radio-frequency filters, external RF sources, or any specialized equipment, thus, enabling a compact and low-cost microwave oscillator for applications in radar, radio over fiber, and telecommunications.

International audience; We explore experimentally and theoretically the dynamics of a DFB quantum well laser subject to external optical feedback from a mirror. With increasing feedback, the system exhibits the following dynamical scenario: an extremely small limit cycle appears first and is followed by a quasi-periodic regime, and then by three subsequent limit cycles with different repetition rates. This sequence of limit cycles can be associated with the change of phase of the reflected field which reveals translational symmetry and the fact of periodic solutions coexistence which we confirm numerically. The results can be useful for applications in reservoir computing with phase space of coexisting limit cycles acting as a nonlinear reservoir as well as for other applications.

International audience; In laser feedback interferometry (LFI), a laser diode is shone onto a target and the reflection from that target is injected back into the laser cavity. It has been demonstrated that changes in the laser dynamics induced by the fed back light can be exploited to measure target displacement, absolute position, or velocity [1,2]. In particular, displacement sensors have been demonstrated to reach minimum detectible displacements (MDD) as small as a few nanometers. However, such small MDD levels require post-processing of the measured signals and/or to modify, and thus increase the complexity of, the LFI setup [3,4].

Laser diodes have become a key component in our everyday life. Discovered 50 years ago (1962), laser diode is used for reading information engraved in compact disk (CD), for transmitting informations in modern telecommunication systems based on optical fibers, for reading bar codes at the supermarket, for positioning and ranging and for lightning. All those applications need a stable and predictible behavior of the laser. Nonetheless, it has been shown that lasers can emit an chaotic fluctuation of light intensity under certain conditions i.e. an unpredictable dynamic. The chaos, or the high sensitivity of a system leading to its unpredictibility, is nowaday observed in a large variety of physical and biologial systems. Chaos explains for example the mathématical impossibility to predict the weather beyond few days. This thesis is therefore at the interface between two main scientific themes : the dynamical behavior and the specifications of laser diodes, and the study of optical chaos.We propose in a first part to study the generation of optical chaos from a laser diode using an optical feedback which leads to complex dynamics between two polarisation states of the laser. An in-depth analysis of this dynamic shows the existence of unexpeted correlation properties between the polarisations which manifest themselves on several time-scales. We demonstrate, on the one hand, the interplay between the different time-scales and on the other hand, we bring a physical interpretation to this phenomenon.In a second part, we focus on a peculiar dynamic leading to regular switching between two polarization states in a laser diode subjected to optical feedback. Those swtichings lead to square-wave modulations. The modulation frequency can be driven by a simple modification of the feedback parameters. In addition, we observe the emergence of oscillatory and undamped dynamics which accompagny the upper state of the square-wave. An experimental and numerical analysis show that the frequency of those oscillations exceed the usual frequency signatures for this kind of laser system. The analytical study predicts frequencies going beyond 20 GHz for a peculier type of lasers called VCSELs.; La diode laser est un composant clef de notre vie de tous les jours. Inventée il y a cinquante ans (1962) elle est utilisée aujourd'hui pour lire l'information encodée sur des disques compacts dans les lecteurs CD, pour transmettre l'information sous forme optique dans les réseaux de télécommunications à fibres optiques, pour scanner nos articles dans les supermarchés, pour aider au positionnement, à l'éclairage et à l'affichage dans des systèmes multimédias. Ces applications nécessitent un comportement stable et surtout prédictible du composant laser. Cependant, il a été démontré depuis plus de trente ans que sous certaines conditions, la diode laser émet une puissance fluctuant dans le temps de façon chaotique c'est-à-dire imprévisible. Le chaos ou la sensibilité extrême d'un système dynamique conduisant à son imprédictibilité, a aujourd'hui été observé dans grands nombres de systèmes physiques et biologiques. Le chaos explique par exemple aujourd'hui l'impossibilité mathématique de prédire la météo au-delà de quelques jours. Cette thèse est donc à la confrontation de deux thèmes scientifiques majeurs: le comportement dynamique et les performances de diodes lasers, et l'étude du chaos optique. Nous proposons dans un premier temps d'étudier la génération de chaos optique par une diode laser à l'aide d'une rétroaction optique conduisant à des dynamiques complexes entre deux états de polarisation du laser. L'analyse approfondie de ces dynamiques montre l'existence de propriétés de corrélation inattendues entre polarisation se manifestant à plusieurs échelles de temps distincts. Nous démontrons d'une part l’interaction qui existe entre ces échelles de temps et proposons d'autre part une interprétation physique à ce phénomène.Dans un second temps, nous nous intéressons à une dynamique particulière conduisant à un basculement régulier entre deux états de polarisation dans une diode laser soumis à une rétroaction optique modifiant l'état de polarisation. Ces basculements sont à l'origine de modulation ondes carrées. La fréquence de modulation est modulable de manière très simple par une modification de la rétroaction. De plus, nous observons l'apparition de dynamiques oscillants et entretenues accompagnant les états hauts des ondes carrées. Une analyse expérimentale et numérique montre que la fréquence de ces oscillations dépassent les fréquences typiques observées pour ce genre de système laser. L'étude analytique prévoit des fréquences pouvant aller au-delà des 20 GHz sur des dispositifs lasers particuliers appelés VCSELs.

Laser diodes have become a key component in our everyday life. Discovered 50 years ago (1962), laser diode is used for reading information engraved in compact disk (CD), for transmitting informations in modern telecommunication systems based on optical fibers, for reading bar codes at the supermarket, for positioning and ranging and for lightning. All those applications need a stable and predictible behavior of the laser. Nonetheless, it has been shown that lasers can emit an chaotic fluctuation of light intensity under certain conditions i.e. an unpredictable dynamic. The chaos, or the high sensitivity of a system leading to its unpredictibility, is nowaday observed in a large variety of physical and biologial systems. Chaos explains for example the mathématical impossibility to predict the weather beyond few days. This thesis is therefore at the interface between two main scientific themes : the dynamical behavior and the specifications of laser diodes, and the study of optical chaos.We propose in a first part to study the generation of optical chaos from a laser diode using an optical feedback which leads to complex dynamics between two polarisation states of the laser. An in-depth analysis of this dynamic shows the existence of unexpeted correlation properties between the polarisations which manifest themselves on several time-scales. We demonstrate, on the one hand, the interplay between the different time-scales and on the other hand, we bring a physical interpretation to this phenomenon.In a second part, we focus on a peculiar dynamic leading to regular switching between two polarization states in a laser diode subjected to optical feedback. Those swtichings lead to square-wave modulations. The modulation frequency can be driven by a simple modification of the feedback parameters. In addition, we observe the emergence of oscillatory and undamped dynamics which accompagny the upper state of the square-wave. An experimental and numerical analysis show that the frequency of those oscillations exceed the usual frequency signatures for this kind of laser system. The analytical study predicts frequencies going beyond 20 GHz for a peculier type of lasers called VCSELs.; La diode laser est un composant clef de notre vie de tous les jours. Inventée il y a cinquante ans (1962) elle est utilisée aujourd'hui pour lire l'information encodée sur des disques compacts dans les lecteurs CD, pour transmettre l'information sous forme optique dans les réseaux de télécommunications à fibres optiques, pour scanner nos articles dans les supermarchés, pour aider au positionnement, à l'éclairage et à l'affichage dans des systèmes multimédias. Ces applications nécessitent un comportement stable et surtout prédictible du composant laser. Cependant, il a été démontré depuis plus de trente ans que sous certaines conditions, la diode laser émet une puissance fluctuant dans le temps de façon chaotique c'est-à-dire imprévisible. Le chaos ou la sensibilité extrême d'un système dynamique conduisant à son imprédictibilité, a aujourd'hui été observé dans grands nombres de systèmes physiques et biologiques. Le chaos explique par exemple aujourd'hui l'impossibilité mathématique de prédire la météo au-delà de quelques jours. Cette thèse est donc à la confrontation de deux thèmes scientifiques majeurs: le comportement dynamique et les performances de diodes lasers, et l'étude du chaos optique. Nous proposons dans un premier temps d'étudier la génération de chaos optique par une diode laser à l'aide d'une rétroaction optique conduisant à des dynamiques complexes entre deux états de polarisation du laser. L'analyse approfondie de ces dynamiques montre l'existence de propriétés de corrélation inattendues entre polarisation se manifestant à plusieurs échelles de temps distincts. Nous démontrons d'une part l’interaction qui existe entre ces échelles de temps et proposons d'autre part une interprétation physique à ce phénomène.Dans un second temps, nous nous intéressons à une dynamique particulière conduisant à un basculement régulier entre deux états de polarisation dans une diode laser soumis à une rétroaction optique modifiant l'état de polarisation. Ces basculements sont à l'origine de modulation ondes carrées. La fréquence de modulation est modulable de manière très simple par une modification de la rétroaction. De plus, nous observons l'apparition de dynamiques oscillants et entretenues accompagnant les états hauts des ondes carrées. Une analyse expérimentale et numérique montre que la fréquence de ces oscillations dépassent les fréquences typiques observées pour ce genre de système laser. L'étude analytique prévoit des fréquences pouvant aller au-delà des 20 GHz sur des dispositifs lasers particuliers appelés VCSELs.

International audience; As optical networks become more and more elastic to adapt to data traffic demands, knowing the health of the network is of key interest. We propose a monitoring intent framework to facilitate the development of control functions exploiting the monitored optical parameters. We then demonstrate an optical channel defragmentation control function deployed as an SDN application taking advantages of a centralized view of SDN controller to optimize the spectrum utilization

International audience; In this paper, we investigate the possibility of using optical injection to efficiently suppress the time-delay (TD) signatures of chaotic signals in a large experimentally accessible parameter range of semiconductor ring lasers (SRLs). We also study how this optical injection can improve the signal bandwidths. The injection signal is obtained from a master SRL with either optical self-or cross-feedback. For optical self-feedback configurations, it is found that the suppression of TD signatures is similar to what has been found in injected Fabry-Perot semiconductor lasers, i.e., narrow range of parameters with respect to the detuning and injection strengths. For cross-feedback configurations, however, the TD signatures can be suppressed in a wide range of parameters meanwhile the bandwidths are significantly improved for the same range of parameters. This is particularly useful for the security in chaos-based communications and also for generating random bits with improved properties.

International audience; Optical feedback interferometry (OFI) based flowmetry enables simple, robust, self-aligned and low cost systems to measure the fluid flow velocity with reasonable accuracy. The particle concentration in the fluid causes significant changes in the signal of OFI sensors. While the spectral analysis of the particle induced Doppler shift remains as the most usual approach to determine the flow properties, different processing algorithms have been proposed in order to evaluate the average flow velocity within the measurement volume. In this paper, the validity of the commonly used methods with regards to particle concentrations and flow rates is verified.

International audience; We report experimentally and theoretically the emergence of sustained oscillations over a slow and periodic polarization switching in a laser subjected to polarization rotated optical feedback. This phenomenon originates from a clear bifurcation point that marks the transition between sustained and damped oscillations on the plateaus. Analytical study reveals also that the frequency of this new oscillatory dynamics is independent of the time delay.

Nonlinear optics and nonlinear dynamics provide number of applications in different research areas, particularly in optical telecommunications and lasers. In this context, I am interested in studying nonlinear optical dynamics and interactions.First, I will show the study of the dynamical behaviours of laser diodes subject to optical feedback via a fibre Bragg grating or stimulated Brillouin scattering. Afterwards, I will show particularly our study of optical parametric generation in nonlinear photonic crystals which allow multi-wavelength generation from UVA to near infrared. These works address the importance of nonlinear effects for the development of new tuneable multi-wavelength sources as well as new photonic devices for quantum optics., Les domaines de l’optique non linéaire et de la dynamique non linéaire trouvent plusieurs applications dans des domaines divers et variés, notamment les télécommunications optiques et les lasers. Dans ce contexte, je me suis intéressé à étudier l’interaction et la dynamique optique non linéaire.Dans un premier temps, je présenterai l’étude de la dynamique des diodes lasers soumises à un retour optique par un réseau de Bragg fibré ou par une rétrodiffusion Brillouin stimulée. Par la suite, je présenterai particulièrement l’étude de la génération paramétrique optique dans les cristaux photoniques non linéaires qui permettent la génération multi-longueurs d’ondes allant de l’UVA au proche infrarouge à partir d’une seule pompe. Ces travaux soulignent l'importance des effets non linéaires pour développer et réaliser de nouvelles sources multi-longueurs d’ondes et accordable ainsi que de nouveaux composants photoniques pour l’optique quantique.

High-precision molecular absorption spectroscopy has become a widely used tool in physics and metrology. More recently, such techniques have gained some favor in the earth sciences and industrial monitoring, mostly for their compactness and robustness. The determination of isotopic ratios of different isotopic systems is nowadays possible with commercially available laser spectrometers. However, in particular for CO2, the full potential of such techniques for highest precision measurements has yet to be exploited. In this thesis, we present a new spectrometer based on optical feedback frequency locking of a distributed feedback laser (DFB) to a highly stable V-shaped reference cell. In such way, we obtain a near infra-red source reaching sub-kHz frequency resolution with a drift of 30 Hz/s. This ultra-narrow, ultra-stable laser source was then combined with a high-stability, high-finesse ring-down cell, using a robust dither lock scheme. We demonstrated a single-spectrum sensitivity of 1.2 x 10-12 cm-1, obtained in 30 seconds, and reported, for a narrow scan, a record-setting minimum detection level 3.8 x 10-14 cm-1, after less than 10 hours of measurement.We applied this instrument to the measurement of isotopic ratios in CO2 and demonstrated the feasibility of direct measurements of 17O in CO2. 17O is a super-ratio which requires precise measurements of three isotopologues, offering information on the hydrological environment of the past, if measured from carbonate rocks. The instrument yielded a precision of 10 ppm in a record-setting measurement time of 10 minutes, demonstrating that laser spectrometers now perform on the same level as state-of-the-art isotopic ratio mass spectrometers currently used in geoscientific studies. We also demonstrated the rst laser based measurements of the ratio 16O13C18O/13C16O2 ("clumped isotopes"), demonstrating a precision of 20 ppm with a strong potential to go further. The instrument shows the potential to measure all geoscientifically relevant isotopologue ratios in CO2 in one single measurement.Furthermore, we applied the instrument to Doppler-free saturated absorption spectroscopy.We determined the transition frequencies of the 3001200001 band of 16O13C16O in natural abundance with kHz accuracy by referencing the laser source to a GPS-referenced optical frequency comb. Using combination differences, we were able to redetermine the B,D and H constant of the upper and lower state, providingevidence for dierences between our experimental data and literature. Moreover, we investigated the S(2) transition of D2. The zero-pressure transition frequency was determined with a record-setting precision of 32 kHz, meaning an accuracy of 0.17 ppb. The impact of line prole choices on the retrieval of line specificc parameters has been investigated. The instrumentation which was built during this thesis fullfils two major tasks: First, we have proven the capability of measuring 17O in CO2 with outstanding precision in record time. Moreover, we demonstrated a successful proof of concept for clumped isotope measurements. While a thorough investigation of memory effects and external reproducibility has yet to be done, it shows the great potential of this technique for use in the geosciences. Secondly, the instrument is a valuable tool for spectroscopy, exhibiting extremely high sensitivity and thus allowing the very precise determination of line-shape parameters and the validation of the most advanced line proles. Moreover, com breferencing allows for precise and accurate determination of transition frequencies and pressure induced shifts.; High-precision molecular absorption spectroscopy has become a widely used tool in physics and metrology. More recently, such techniques have gained some favor in the earth sciences and industrial monitoring, mostly for their compactness and robustness. The determination of isotopic ratios of different isotopic systems is nowadays possible with commercially available laser spectrometers. However, in particular for CO2, the full potential of such techniques for highest precision measurements has yet to be exploited. In this thesis, we present a new spectrometer based on optical feedback frequency locking of a distributed feedback laser (DFB) to a highly stable V-shaped reference cell. In such way, we obtain a near infra-red source reaching sub-kHz frequency resolution with a drift of 30 Hz/s. This ultra-narrow, ultra-stable laser source was then combined with a high-stability, high-finesse ring-down cell, using a robust dither lock scheme. We demonstrated a single-spectrum sensitivity of 1.2 x 10-12 cm-1, obtained in 30 seconds, and reported, for a narrow scan, a record-setting minimum detection level 3.8 x 10-14 cm-1, after less than 10 hours of measurement.We applied this instrument to the measurement of isotopic ratios in CO2 and demonstrated the feasibility of direct measurements of 17O in CO2. 17O is a super-ratio which requires precise measurements of three isotopologues, offering information on the hydrological environment of the past, if measured from carbonate rocks. The instrument yielded a precision of 10 ppm in a record-setting measurement time of 10 minutes, demonstrating that laser spectrometers now perform on the same level as state-of-the-art isotopic ratio mass spectrometers currently used in geoscientific studies. We also demonstrated the rst laser based measurements of the ratio 16O13C18O/13C16O2 ("clumped isotopes"), demonstrating a precision of 20 ppm with a strong potential to go further. The instrument shows the potential to measure all geoscientifically relevant isotopologue ratios in CO2 in one single measurement.Furthermore, we applied the instrument to Doppler-free saturated absorption spectroscopy.We determined the transition frequencies of the 3001200001 band of 16O13C16O in natural abundance with kHz accuracy by referencing the laser source to a GPS-referenced optical frequency comb. Using combination differences, we were able to redetermine the B,D and H constant of the upper and lower state, providingevidence for dierences between our experimental data and literature. Moreover, we investigated the S(2) transition of D2. The zero-pressure transition frequency was determined with a record-setting precision of 32 kHz, meaning an accuracy of 0.17 ppb. The impact of line prole choices on the retrieval of line specificc parameters has been investigated. The instrumentation which was built during this thesis fullfils two major tasks: First, we have proven the capability of measuring 17O in CO2 with outstanding precision in record time. Moreover, we demonstrated a successful proof of concept for clumped isotope measurements. While a thorough investigation of memory effects and external reproducibility has yet to be done, it shows the great potential of this technique for use in the geosciences. Secondly, the instrument is a valuable tool for spectroscopy, exhibiting extremely high sensitivity and thus allowing the very precise determination of line-shape parameters and the validation of the most advanced line proles. Moreover, com breferencing allows for precise and accurate determination of transition frequencies and pressure induced shifts.

The recent evolution of optical communication systems is such that the transfer of massive amounts of information is no longer limited to long-distance transoceanic links or backbone networks. Numerous short-reach applications requiring high data throughputs are emerging, not only in access networks, where upgrades of the bit rate of fiber-to-the-home systems need to be anticipated, but also in data center networks where huge amounts of information may need to be exchanged between servers, in part triggered by the rise of big data applications. The new requirements in terms of cost and energy consumption set by novel short-reach applications therefore need to be considered in the design and operation of a new generation of semiconductor laser sources. Owing to the tight quantum confinement of carriers, quantum dot lasers constitute a class of oscillators exhibiting superior characteristics such as a lower operating threshold, a better thermal stability as well as larger optical nonlinearities. The investigation of quantum dot lasers operating under external perturbations allows probing such optical nonlinearities in the view of developing all-optical wavelength-converters with improved performance as well as optical feedback-resistant transmitters. This last point iseven more critical since it is expected that short-reach links making use of directly modulated sources will experience massive deployment in the near future, in contrast to conventional backbone links where the number of required optoelectronic interfaces remains relatively modest. In order to do so, the thesis reports on novel findings in GaAs- and InP-based quantum dot lasers such as improved bandwidth and conversion efficiency under optical injection and various complex dynamics with delayed quantum dot oscillators emitting on different lasing states. Last but not the least, the massive deployment of coherent systems as well as the realization of future chip-scale atomic clocks require the implementation of optical sources with narrow spectral linewidth otherwise the sensitivity to the phase noise of both transmitters and local oscillators can strongly affect the bit error rates at the receiver. This is another objective to be addressed in the thesis where the benefits of the quantum dot technology has allowed to reach a spectral linewidth as low as 160 kHz (100 kHz under optical feedback) which is of paramount importance not only regarding the aforementioned applications.; L’évolution actuelle des systèmes de communications optiques est telle que la circulation d’information n’est plus exclusivement limitée par les liens longues distances transocéaniques ou par les réseaux cœurs. De nombreuses applications courtes distances comme les réseaux d’accès où les débits des systèmes amenant la fibre chez l’abonné doivent être maximisés et les connexions internes et externes des centres de données transportent un trafic de données important produit en partie par les applications de type « Big Data ». Les critères imposés par ces nouvelles architectures notamment en termes de coût et consommation énergétique doivent être pris en compte en particulier par le déploiement de nouveaux composants d’extrémités. Grâce au très fort confinement des porteurs, les lasers à boites quantiques constituent une classe d’oscillateurs présentant des caractéristiques remarquables notamment en termes de courant de seuil et de stabilité thermique. En particulier, l’application d’une perturbation optique externe permet d’exploiter les nonlinéarités optiques des boîtes quantiques pour la réalisation de convertisseurs en longueur d’onde performants ou de transmetteurs à haut-débit fonctionnant sans isolateur optique. Ce dernier point est particulièrement critique dans les réseaux courtes distances où l’utilisation de sources modulées directement reste une solution technologique importante.Ce travail de thèse réalisé sur des structures lasers à base d’Arséniure de Gallium (GaAs) et de Phosphure d’Indium (InP) montre la possibilité d’améliorer l’efficacité de conversion non-linéaire par injection optique et de générer de nombreuses dynamiques dans des oscillateurs rétroactionnés et émettant sur différents états quantiques. Par ailleurs, le déploiement massif des systèmes cohérents mais également la conception des futures horloges atomiques sur puces nécessite l’utilisation de sources optiques à faible largeur de raie et ce afin de limiter la sensibilité de la réception au bruit de phase du transmetteur et de l’oscillateur local et induire un taux d’erreur binaire important. La conception de laser à faible largeur spectrale constitue un autre objectif de ce travail thèse. Les avantages de la technologie boites quantiques ont été mis à profit pour d’atteindre une largeur spectrale de 160 kHz (100 kHz en présence de rétroaction optique) ce qui est de première importance pour les applications susmentionnées.

The recent evolution of optical communication systems is such that the transfer of massive amounts of information is no longer limited to long-distance transoceanic links or backbone networks. Numerous short-reach applications requiring high data throughputs are emerging, not only in access networks, where upgrades of the bit rate of fiber-to-the-home systems need to be anticipated, but also in data center networks where huge amounts of information may need to be exchanged between servers, in part triggered by the rise of big data applications. The new requirements in terms of cost and energy consumption set by novel short-reach applications therefore need to be considered in the design and operation of a new generation of semiconductor laser sources. Owing to the tight quantum confinement of carriers, quantum dot lasers constitute a class of oscillators exhibiting superior characteristics such as a lower operating threshold, a better thermal stability as well as larger optical nonlinearities. The investigation of quantum dot lasers operating under external perturbations allows probing such optical nonlinearities in the view of developing all-optical wavelength-converters with improved performance as well as optical feedback-resistant transmitters. This last point iseven more critical since it is expected that short-reach links making use of directly modulated sources will experience massive deployment in the near future, in contrast to conventional backbone links where the number of required optoelectronic interfaces remains relatively modest. In order to do so, the thesis reports on novel findings in GaAs- and InP-based quantum dot lasers such as improved bandwidth and conversion efficiency under optical injection and various complex dynamics with delayed quantum dot oscillators emitting on different lasing states. Last but not the least, the massive deployment of coherent systems as well as the realization of future chip-scale atomic clocks require the implementation of optical sources with narrow spectral linewidth otherwise the sensitivity to the phase noise of both transmitters and local oscillators can strongly affect the bit error rates at the receiver. This is another objective to be addressed in the thesis where the benefits of the quantum dot technology has allowed to reach a spectral linewidth as low as 160 kHz (100 kHz under optical feedback) which is of paramount importance not only regarding the aforementioned applications., L’évolution actuelle des systèmes de communications optiques est telle que la circulation d’information n’est plus exclusivement limitée par les liens longues distances transocéaniques ou par les réseaux cœurs. De nombreuses applications courtes distances comme les réseaux d’accès où les débits des systèmes amenant la fibre chez l’abonné doivent être maximisés et les connexions internes et externes des centres de données transportent un trafic de données important produit en partie par les applications de type « Big Data ». Les critères imposés par ces nouvelles architectures notamment en termes de coût et consommation énergétique doivent être pris en compte en particulier par le déploiement de nouveaux composants d’extrémités. Grâce au très fort confinement des porteurs, les lasers à boites quantiques constituent une classe d’oscillateurs présentant des caractéristiques remarquables notamment en termes de courant de seuil et de stabilité thermique. En particulier, l’application d’une perturbation optique externe permet d’exploiter les nonlinéarités optiques des boîtes quantiques pour la réalisation de convertisseurs en longueur d’onde performants ou de transmetteurs à haut-débit fonctionnant sans isolateur optique. Ce dernier point est particulièrement critique dans les réseaux courtes distances où l’utilisation de sources modulées directement reste une solution technologique importante.Ce travail de thèse réalisé sur des structures lasers à base d’Arséniure de Gallium (GaAs) et de Phosphure d’Indium (InP) montre la possibilité d’améliorer l’efficacité de conversion non-linéaire par injection optique et de générer de nombreuses dynamiques dans des oscillateurs rétroactionnés et émettant sur différents états quantiques. Par ailleurs, le déploiement massif des systèmes cohérents mais également la conception des futures horloges atomiques sur puces nécessite l’utilisation de sources optiques à faible largeur de raie et ce afin de limiter la sensibilité de la réception au bruit de phase du transmetteur et de l’oscillateur local et induire un taux d’erreur binaire important. La conception de laser à faible largeur spectrale constitue un autre objectif de ce travail thèse. Les avantages de la technologie boites quantiques ont été mis à profit pour d’atteindre une largeur spectrale de 160 kHz (100 kHz en présence de rétroaction optique) ce qui est de première importance pour les applications susmentionnées.

High-precision molecular absorption spectroscopy has become a widely used tool in physics and metrology. More recently, such techniques have gained some favor in the earth sciences and industrial monitoring, mostly for their compactness and robustness. The determination of isotopic ratios of different isotopic systems is nowadays possible with commercially available laser spectrometers. However, in particular for CO2, the full potential of such techniques for highest precision measurements has yet to be exploited. In this thesis, we present a new spectrometer based on optical feedback frequency locking of a distributed feedback laser (DFB) to a highly stable V-shaped reference cell. In such way, we obtain a near infra-red source reaching sub-kHz frequency resolution with a drift of 30 Hz/s. This ultra-narrow, ultra-stable laser source was then combined with a high-stability, high-finesse ring-down cell, using a robust dither lock scheme. We demonstrated a single-spectrum sensitivity of 1.2 x 10-12 cm-1, obtained in 30 seconds, and reported, for a narrow scan, a record-setting minimum detection level 3.8 x 10-14 cm-1, after less than 10 hours of measurement.We applied this instrument to the measurement of isotopic ratios in CO2 and demonstrated the feasibility of direct measurements of 17O in CO2. 17O is a super-ratio which requires precise measurements of three isotopologues, offering information on the hydrological environment of the past, if measured from carbonate rocks. The instrument yielded a precision of 10 ppm in a record-setting measurement time of 10 minutes, demonstrating that laser spectrometers now perform on the same level as state-of-the-art isotopic ratio mass spectrometers currently used in geoscientific studies. We also demonstrated the rst laser based measurements of the ratio 16O13C18O/13C16O2 ("clumped isotopes"), demonstrating a precision of 20 ppm with a strong potential to go further. The instrument shows the potential to measure all geoscientifically relevant isotopologue ratios in CO2 in one single measurement.Furthermore, we applied the instrument to Doppler-free saturated absorption spectroscopy.We determined the transition frequencies of the 3001200001 band of 16O13C16O in natural abundance with kHz accuracy by referencing the laser source to a GPS-referenced optical frequency comb. Using combination differences, we were able to redetermine the B,D and H constant of the upper and lower state, providingevidence for dierences between our experimental data and literature. Moreover, we investigated the S(2) transition of D2. The zero-pressure transition frequency was determined with a record-setting precision of 32 kHz, meaning an accuracy of 0.17 ppb. The impact of line prole choices on the retrieval of line specificc parameters has been investigated. The instrumentation which was built during this thesis fullfils two major tasks: First, we have proven the capability of measuring 17O in CO2 with outstanding precision in record time. Moreover, we demonstrated a successful proof of concept for clumped isotope measurements. While a thorough investigation of memory effects and external reproducibility has yet to be done, it shows the great potential of this technique for use in the geosciences. Secondly, the instrument is a valuable tool for spectroscopy, exhibiting extremely high sensitivity and thus allowing the very precise determination of line-shape parameters and the validation of the most advanced line proles. Moreover, com breferencing allows for precise and accurate determination of transition frequencies and pressure induced shifts.; High-precision molecular absorption spectroscopy has become a widely used tool in physics and metrology. More recently, such techniques have gained some favor in the earth sciences and industrial monitoring, mostly for their compactness and robustness. The determination of isotopic ratios of different isotopic systems is nowadays possible with commercially available laser spectrometers. However, in particular for CO2, the full potential of such techniques for highest precision measurements has yet to be exploited. In this thesis, we present a new spectrometer based on optical feedback frequency locking of a distributed feedback laser (DFB) to a highly stable V-shaped reference cell. In such way, we obtain a near infra-red source reaching sub-kHz frequency resolution with a drift of 30 Hz/s. This ultra-narrow, ultra-stable laser source was then combined with a high-stability, high-finesse ring-down cell, using a robust dither lock scheme. We demonstrated a single-spectrum sensitivity of 1.2 x 10-12 cm-1, obtained in 30 seconds, and reported, for a narrow scan, a record-setting minimum detection level 3.8 x 10-14 cm-1, after less than 10 hours of measurement.We applied this instrument to the measurement of isotopic ratios in CO2 and demonstrated the feasibility of direct measurements of 17O in CO2. 17O is a super-ratio which requires precise measurements of three isotopologues, offering information on the hydrological environment of the past, if measured from carbonate rocks. The instrument yielded a precision of 10 ppm in a record-setting measurement time of 10 minutes, demonstrating that laser spectrometers now perform on the same level as state-of-the-art isotopic ratio mass spectrometers currently used in geoscientific studies. We also demonstrated the rst laser based measurements of the ratio 16O13C18O/13C16O2 ("clumped isotopes"), demonstrating a precision of 20 ppm with a strong potential to go further. The instrument shows the potential to measure all geoscientifically relevant isotopologue ratios in CO2 in one single measurement.Furthermore, we applied the instrument to Doppler-free saturated absorption spectroscopy.We determined the transition frequencies of the 3001200001 band of 16O13C16O in natural abundance with kHz accuracy by referencing the laser source to a GPS-referenced optical frequency comb. Using combination differences, we were able to redetermine the B,D and H constant of the upper and lower state, providingevidence for dierences between our experimental data and literature. Moreover, we investigated the S(2) transition of D2. The zero-pressure transition frequency was determined with a record-setting precision of 32 kHz, meaning an accuracy of 0.17 ppb. The impact of line prole choices on the retrieval of line specificc parameters has been investigated. The instrumentation which was built during this thesis fullfils two major tasks: First, we have proven the capability of measuring 17O in CO2 with outstanding precision in record time. Moreover, we demonstrated a successful proof of concept for clumped isotope measurements. While a thorough investigation of memory effects and external reproducibility has yet to be done, it shows the great potential of this technique for use in the geosciences. Secondly, the instrument is a valuable tool for spectroscopy, exhibiting extremely high sensitivity and thus allowing the very precise determination of line-shape parameters and the validation of the most advanced line proles. Moreover, com breferencing allows for precise and accurate determination of transition frequencies and pressure induced shifts.

The onset of nonlinear dynamics and chaos is evidenced in a mid-infrared distributed feedback quantum cascade laser both in the temporal and frequency domains. As opposed to the commonly observed route to chaos in semiconductor lasers, which involves undamping of the laser relaxation oscillations, quantum cascade lasers first exhibit regular self-pulsation at the external cavity frequency before entering into a chaotic low-frequency fluctuation regime. The bifurcation sequence, similar to that already observed in class A gas lasers under optical feedback, results from the fast carrier relaxation dynamics occurring in quantum cascade lasers, as confirmed by numerical simulations. Such chaotic behavior can impact various practical applications including spectroscopy, which requires stable single-mode operation. It also allows the development of novel mid-infrared high-power chaotic light sources, thus enabling secure free-space high bit-rate optical communications based on chaos synchronization.

The amount of optical feedback originating from a chalcogenide fiber used to couple light from a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser is evaluated experimentally. Threshold reduction measurements on the fibered laser, combined with an analytical study of a rate equations model of the laser under optical feedback, allow estimating the feedback strength between 11% and 15% depending on the fiber cleavage quality. While this remains below the frontier of the chaotic regime, it is sufficient to deeply modify the optical spectrum of a quantum cascade laser. Hence for applications such as gas spectroscopy, where the shape of the optical spectrum is of prime importance, the use of mid-infrared optical isolators may be necessary for fibered quantum cascade lasers to be fully exploited.

International audience; We report a new scheme of photonic microwave oscillator at telecommunication wavelength. It consists of two monolithic distributed feedback (DFB) laser diodes, whose beat-note is stabilized by means of frequency-shifted optical feedback. The feedback beam is modulated by the delayed beat-note itself, and this permits to get a stable optically carried microwave without the need of any external reference. Dual and single sideband modulation schemes were tested by using an intensity modulator and a frequency shifter, respectively. The single sideband scheme results in a better stability and a 10 dB improvement of the phase noise. A phase noise level of -65 dBc/Hz, detection limited, at 100 Hz from a 12 GHz carrier is obtained.

We investigate experimentally and theoretically the multi-mode dynamics of a two-color quantum dot laser subject to time-delayed optical feedback. We unveil energy exchanges between the longitudinal modes of the excited state triggered by variations of the feedback phase, and observe that the modal competition between longitudinal modes appears independently within the ground state and excited state emission. These features are accurately reproduced with a quantum dot laser model extended to take into account multiple modes for both ground and excited states. Finally, we discuss the significant impact of such behavior on feedback-based control of two-color quantum dot lasers. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America

Mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers are unipolar semiconductor lasers, which have become widely used sources for applications such as gas spectroscopy, free-space communications or optical countermeasures. Applying external per-turbations such as optical feedback or optical injection leads to a strong modification of the quantum cascade laser prop-erties. Optical feedback impacts the static properties of mid-infrared Fabry-Perot and distributed feedback quantum cas-cade lasers, inducing power increase, threshold reduction, modification of the optical spectrum, which can become either single- or multimode, and enhanced beam quality of broad-area transverse multimode lasers. It also leads to a different dynamical behavior, and a quantum cascade laser subject to optical feedback can oscillate periodically or even become chaotic: this work provides the very first analysis of optical instabilities in the mid-infrared range. A numerical study of optical injection furthermore proves that quantum cascade lasers can injection-lock over a few gigahertz, where they should experience enhanced stability and especially improved modulation bandwidth. Furthermore, some promising dynamics appear outside the locking range with periodic oscillations at a tunable frequency or high-intensity events. A quantum cascade laser under external control could therefore be a source with enhanced properties for the usual mid-infrared applications, but could also address new applications such as tunable photonic oscillators, extreme events gen-erators, chaotic LIDAR, chaos-based secured communications or unpredictable countermeasures, Les lasers à cascade quantique émettant dans le moyen-infrarouge sont des lasers semi-conducteurs unipolaires qui sont devenus des sources couramment utilisées pour des applications telles que la spectroscopie de gaz, les communications en espace libre ou les contre-mesures optiques. Appliquer une perturbation externe, typiquement une contre-réaction optique ou de l’injection optique, entraîne une forte modification des propriétés d’émission du laser à cascade quantique. La contre-réaction optique influe sur les propriétés statiques du laser Fabry-Perot ou à contre-réaction répartie, conduisant à une augmentation de la puissance, à une diminution du seuil, à une modification du spectre optique qui peut devenir monomode ou multimode, et à une amélioration de la qualité de faisceau dans les lasers à ruban large fortement multimode transverses. Cela induit également un comportement dynamique différent, et un laser à cascade quantique soumis à de la contre-réaction peut osciller périodiquement ou même devenir chaotique : ce travail présente la toute première observation d'instabilités optiques dans le moyen-infrarouge. De plus, une étude numérique de l’injection optique montre que les lasers à cascade quantique peuvent se verrouiller optiquement sur une plage de plusieurs gigahertz, sur laquelle leur stabilité devrait être accrue et leur bande passante de modulation significativement augmentée. Une dynamique prometteuse apparaît également en dehors de la zone de verrouillage, avec l’apparition d’oscillations périodiques à une fréquence accordable ainsi que des événements isolés de forte intensité. Un laser à cascade quantique soumis à un contrôle externe peut donc être une source très performante pour les applications moyen-infrarouges usuelles, mais pourrait aussi en adresser de nouvelles, telles que des oscillateurs photoniques accordables, des générateurs d’événements rares, des LIDAR chaotiques, des communications sécurisées par chaos ou des contre-mesures imprévisibles.

High-precision molecular absorption spectroscopy is a powerful tool for fundamental physics and metrology, as well as for a broad range of applications in fields such as environmental sciences, planetology and astrophysics. In recent years, spectroscopic techniques based on the enhanced interaction of laser light with molecular samples in high-finesse optical cavities have provided outstanding detection sensitivities on the absorption axis, while the spectrometer frequency axis rarely met as high precision standards.In this thesis, we addressed this challenge by the development of Optical Feedback Frequency-Stabilized Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (OFFS-CRDS). This novel technique features a unique combination of sub-kHz frequency resolution and stability, kW/cm^2-level intracavity light intensity, a shot-noise limited absorption detectivity down to 2 x 10^(−13) cm^(−1)Hz^(-1/2), as well as a detection limit of 8.4 x 10^(−14) cm^(−1) on a narrow spectral interval. This unprecedented performance is based on the tight Pound-Drever-Hall lock of the ring-down cavity to a single-sideband-tuned distributed-feedback diode laser which is optical-feedback-stabilized to a highly stable V-shaped reference cavity. To transfer the coherence of this sub-kHz laser source to noisier lasers in other spectral regions through an optical frequency comb, we have explored a novel high-bandwidth feed-forward phase cloning scheme and demonstrated a residual phase error as low as 113 mrad. Applying OFFS-CRDS to the spectroscopy of CO_2 near 1.6 μm, we obtained a broadband spectrum with a dynamic range of 8 x 10^5 and retrieved twelve absolute transition frequencies with kHz-accuracy by measuring sub-Doppler saturated absorption Lamb dips with a comb-assisted setup. Furthermore, we have performed a comprehensive analysis of systematic error sources in CRDS and derived an analytic formula for the non-exponential ring-down signal in a weakly saturated regime, which may contribute towards future concentration-independent transition dipole moment measurements. Our results open up promising perspectives for metrological applications of OFFS-CRDS, such as advanced absorption lineshape studies, isotopic ratio measurements and extensive saturated absorption spectroscopy in the near infrared., La spectroscopie d'absorption moléculaire est un outil incontournable non seulement pour la physique fondamentale et la métrolgie mais aussi pour des domaines aussi divers que les sciences environnementales, la planétologie ou l'astrophysique. Ces dernières années, des techniques spectroscopiques qui exploitent l'amplification résonnante d'interaction entre lumière laser et molécules dans une cavité optique ont fourni des détectivités exceptionnelles sur l'axe d'absorption, tandis que l'axe de fréquence des spectromètres n'atteignait généralement pas le même niveau de précision.Dans cette thèse, nous avons répondu à ce défi en développant la spectroscopie en cavité par temps de déclin stabilisée en fréquence par rétroaction optique (OFFS-CRDS en anglais). Cette nouvelle technique présente une combinaison unique de stabilité et résolution fréquentielles sub-kHz, d'un niveau d'intensité lumineuse intra-cavité de l'ordre du kW/cm^2, d'une detectivite de 2 x 10^(−13) cm^(−1)Hz^(-1/2) limitée par le bruit de photons, et d'une limite de détection de 8.4 x 10^(−14) cm^(−1) sur une plage spectrale étroite. Ces performances inédites sont dues à l'asservissement de la cavité spectroscopique à un laser balayé en fréquence par modulation à bande latérale unique et stabilisé par rétroaction optique avec une cavité en V de réference ultrastable. Pour transférer la cohérence de ce laser sub-kHz à des lasers plus bruiteux dans d'autres gammes spectrales à travers un peigne de fréquence optique, nous avons exploré une nouvelle méthode de clonage de phase par une correction anticipative à large bande passante et démontré une erreur résiduelle de phase de 113 mrad. En appliquant l'OFFS-CRDS à la spectroscopie du CO2 à 1.6 μm, nous avons obtenu un spectre large bande avec une dynamique de 8 x 10^5, et nous avons déterminé douze fréquences de transition absolues avec une exactitude de l'ordre du kHz en mesurant des Lamb dips sub-Doppler en absorption saturée avec un dispositif équipé d'un peigne de fréquence. Par ailleurs, nous avons procédé à une analyse détaillée des sources d'erreurs systematiques en CRDS et nous avons déduit une formule analytique pour le déclin de cavité non-exponentiel dans un régime faiblement saturé qui est susceptible de contribuer à de futures mesures de moments de transition dipolaire indépendantes de la concentration. Nos résultats ouvrent des perspectives prometteuses pour des applications métrologiques de l'OFFS-CRDS, comme par exemple l'étude de profils de raie poussés, la mesures de rapports isotopiques et la spectroscopie d'absorption saturée extensive dans le proche infrarouge.

Localized Structures (LS) appear in nonlinear dissipative media with large aspect-ratios where one or several solutions coexist in the parameters space. Although LS formation is a general phenomenon, their implementation in semiconductor lasers is of great interest due to the potential of LS for all-optical data processing. In fact, the basic idea consists in using LS as bits of information exploiting their property of addressability in a fast and small-sized medium. In this contribution, I will show the experimental and theoretical results obtained in Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs). After a brief historical introduction on spatial LS emerging in the transverse profile of VCSELs, I will describe our method for the generation of temporal LS, that we observed in the frame of passive mode-locking when the VCSEL is coupled to a long external cavity closed by a fast saturable absorber, and vectorial LS, whose formation exploits the polarization degree of freedom of the VCSEL, which is submitted to the actions of a polarization-selective feedback (PSF) and a crossed-polarization reinjection (XPR).; Les Structures Localisées (SL) se forment dans les milieux non-linéaires dissipatifs à large rapport d'aspect où une ou plusieurs solutions peuvent coexister dans l'espace des paramètres. Bien que la formation des SL est un phénomène général, leur mise en œuvre dans les lasers à semi-conducteur se montre très intéressante due au potentiel qu'offre les SL pour le traitement tout optique de l'information. En effet, l'idée de base est d'utiliser les SL comme des bits d'information en exploitant leur propriété d'addressabilité dans un milieu laser rapide et miniaturisé. Dans ce travail, je décrirai les résultats théoriques et expérimentaux obtenus dans les lasers à semi-conducteur à cavité vertical (VCSEL). Après une courte introduction sur les SL spatiales déjà observées dans la section transverse des VCSELs, j'expliquerai comment nous sommes parvenus à générer des SL temporelles à partir d'un régime de Mode-Locking passif obtenu quand le laser est couplé à une longue cavité externe fermée par un absorbant saturable rapide. Nous avons également observé l'émergence d'un autre type de SL, les SL temporelles vectorielles, dont le mécanisme de formation exploite le degré de liberté de polarisation de la lumière émise par le VCSEL alors que celui-ci est soumis à de la rétro-action optique sélective en polarisation (PSF) et de la réinjection de polarisation croisée (XPR).

This thesis is a theoretical and experimental study of the dynamics of an edge-emitting laser diode (850 nm) with phase-conjugate feedback. The experimental device is designed to see the dynamical range of the laser through the temporal and spectral properties while the feedback rate varies. Phase-conjugate feedback is performed through four-wave mixing in a photorefractive crystal. The propagation time of the laser beam in the external cavity is termed external time delay. Under the effect of the feedback, the system shows a wide dynamical range including chaos and self-pulsing states which characteristic properties are determined by the length of the external cavity. For the first time self-pulsing states at frequencies multiples of the fundamental frequency of the external cavity are evidenced. Simulations carried out based on the commonly-used Lang-Kobayashi laser rate equations provide theoretical confirmations to the experimental observations. The main topics tackled here are chaos crisis and bistability of pulsing solutions, self-pulsing regimes (through their stabilization and destabilization) and the transitions between them, characterization of extreme events of two kinds along with their statistical distribution and delay-induced deterministic coherence resonance of low frequency fluctuations. Beyond the fundamental interest of these results and the many comparisons that can be made with other laser systems, applications in the field of all-optical signal generation and control of chaos are direct consequences of this study.; Cette thèse consiste en une étude théorique et expérimentale de la dynamique d'une diode laser à émission latérale (850 nm) avec rétroaction optique à conjugaison de phase. Le dispositif expérimental est conçu afin de voir la diversité dynamique du laser à travers l'analyse temporelle et spectrale alors que le taux de rétroaction varie. La rétroaction à conjugaison de phase est effectuée par mélange à quatre ondes dans un cristal photoréfractif. Le temps de propagation du faisceau laser dans la cavité externe est appelé retard. Sous l’effet de la rétroaction, le système montre une grande richesse dynamique qui varie du chaos total à des régimes auto-pulsés aux fréquences déterminés par le longueur de la cavité externe pour la première fois mis en évidence ici. Des simulations menées en parallèle basées sur les équations de Lang-Kobayashi couramment utilisées apportent des confirmations théoriques aux observations expérimentales. Les principaux points traités sont la crise chaotique et bistabilité de solutions pulsées, les régimes auto-pulsés (stabilisation et déstabilisation) ainsi que les transitions entre eux, la caractérisation d’événements extrêmes de différentes natures avec la distribution statistique associée ainsi qu’une résonance cohérente déterministe de fluctuations à basse fréquence induite par le retard. Au-delà de l’intérêt fondamental de ces résultats et des comparaisons qui peuvent être établies avec d’autres systèmes laser, des applications dans la génération de signaux tout-optique ainsi que le contrôle du chaos sont des débouchés potentiels de cette étude.

This thesis is a theoretical and experimental study of the dynamics of an edge-emitting laser diode (850 nm) with phase-conjugate feedback. The experimental device is designed to see the dynamical range of the laser through the temporal and spectral properties while the feedback rate varies. Phase-conjugate feedback is performed through four-wave mixing in a photorefractive crystal. The propagation time of the laser beam in the external cavity is termed external time delay. Under the effect of the feedback, the system shows a wide dynamical range including chaos and self-pulsing states which characteristic properties are determined by the length of the external cavity. For the first time self-pulsing states at frequencies multiples of the fundamental frequency of the external cavity are evidenced. Simulations carried out based on the commonly-used Lang-Kobayashi laser rate equations provide theoretical confirmations to the experimental observations. The main topics tackled here are chaos crisis and bistability of pulsing solutions, self-pulsing regimes (through their stabilization and destabilization) and the transitions between them, characterization of extreme events of two kinds along with their statistical distribution and delay-induced deterministic coherence resonance of low frequency fluctuations. Beyond the fundamental interest of these results and the many comparisons that can be made with other laser systems, applications in the field of all-optical signal generation and control of chaos are direct consequences of this study., Cette thèse consiste en une étude théorique et expérimentale de la dynamique d'une diode laser à émission latérale (850 nm) avec rétroaction optique à conjugaison de phase. Le dispositif expérimental est conçu afin de voir la diversité dynamique du laser à travers l'analyse temporelle et spectrale alors que le taux de rétroaction varie. La rétroaction à conjugaison de phase est effectuée par mélange à quatre ondes dans un cristal photoréfractif. Le temps de propagation du faisceau laser dans la cavité externe est appelé retard. Sous l’effet de la rétroaction, le système montre une grande richesse dynamique qui varie du chaos total à des régimes auto-pulsés aux fréquences déterminés par le longueur de la cavité externe pour la première fois mis en évidence ici. Des simulations menées en parallèle basées sur les équations de Lang-Kobayashi couramment utilisées apportent des confirmations théoriques aux observations expérimentales. Les principaux points traités sont la crise chaotique et bistabilité de solutions pulsées, les régimes auto-pulsés (stabilisation et déstabilisation) ainsi que les transitions entre eux, la caractérisation d’événements extrêmes de différentes natures avec la distribution statistique associée ainsi qu’une résonance cohérente déterministe de fluctuations à basse fréquence induite par le retard. Au-delà de l’intérêt fondamental de ces résultats et des comparaisons qui peuvent être établies avec d’autres systèmes laser, des applications dans la génération de signaux tout-optique ainsi que le contrôle du chaos sont des débouchés potentiels de cette étude.

We explore synchronization dynamics of dual-polarization solid-state lasers. Such lasers are able to produce a stable beat frequency in a wide range from Hz up to THz. This work take advantage of it in order to study several frequency locking mecanisms in these lasers. First, we build a dual-polarization laser with a semiconductor saturable absorber miror (SESAM). It enable a pulsed operation of the laser where all longitudinal modes are phase-locked, and this on both laser eigenstates. We also demonstrate that polarization state of successive pulses forms sequences that we describes here. A particular phenomenon is observed in this laser: when the beat-frequency is chosen equal to half the free spectral range of the laser, then the two frequency combs associated with the two laser eigenstates synchronize themself. Second, we submit a two-frequency laser to a frequency-shifted feedback. Doing so, we are able to transfer the radiofrequency synthetizer stability on the laser beat-frequency. This result is obtained both in cw and Q-switched regimes. Finally, together with the frequency-shifted feedback, we use the relaxation oscillations of a class B laser to induce a regime where the laser beat-frequency is synchronized with the external reference, while their relative phase oscillates. Subsequently, particular intensity dynamics are observed at the output., Nous explorons les dynamiques de synchronisation des lasers solides fonctionnant sur deux états propres de polarisation. Ce type de laser présente l'intérêt de pouvoir générer des fréquences de battement très stables dans une gamme de fréquence du Hz au THz. Cette thèse en tire parti pour étudier plusieurs mécanismes d'accrochage de fréquence dans ces lasers. Tout d'abord, nous construisons un laser bipolarisation doté d'un miroir à réflectance saturable (SESAM). Cela lui permet de fonctionner dans un régime pulsé où tous les modes longitudinaux oscillent en phase, et ce sur les deux états propres du laser. On démontre également que les états de polarisation d'impulsions successives forment des séquences dont nous détaillons les caractéristiques. Un phénomène particulier est observé dans ce laser : si la fréquence de battement est choisie égale à la moitié de l'intervalle spectral libre du laser, les deux peignes de fréquences associés aux deux états propres se synchronisent. Dans un second temps, nous soumettons un laser bi-fréquence à une réinjection optique décalée en fréquence. De cette manière, nous sommes capable de transférer, sur la fréquence de battement du laser, la stabilité d'un synthétiseur radio-fréquence, utilisé comme référence. Ce résultat est obtenu tant en régime continu que pulsé. Enfin, conjointement à la réinjection décalée en fréquence, nous utilisons les oscillations de relaxation d'un laser de classe B pour induire un régime où la fréquence de battement est synchronisée sur une référence externe, mais pas sa phase. Incidemment, des dynamiques particulières d'intensités sont observées en sortie du laser.

Our study deals with the spectral stabilization of laser diodes by external cavities incorporating a resonant grating filter. The first part of this work concerns the theoretical study of the external cavity and the criteria required for the characteristics of the filter to obtain a monomode emission. The conception and the realization of the different gratings, used in Littrow-like configuration, enable us to stabilize conventional laser diodes with a SMSR above 30dB, though being very sensitive to misalignments due to low angular tolerance of these filters. The second part concerns new types of filters, whose resonant grating is surrounded by two lateral reflectors with half-period. These filters have a wide angular tolerance close to 10°, combined with a nanometric bandwidth, that authorizes a cat's eye configuration, compact and easy to get working, all the while obtaining a spectral stabilization with a SMSR above 30dB.; L'étude porte sur la stabilisation spectrale de diodes laser par des cavités externes incorporant un filtre à réseau résonant. La première partie des travaux concerne la modélisation de la cavité externe et les critères requis sur les caractéristiques d'un filtre pour obtenir une émission monomode. La conception et la réalisation de différents réseaux, utilisés en montage de type Littrow, permettent d'obtenir une stabilisation de diodes conventionnelles avec un SMSR supérieur à 30dB, tout en étant très sensible aux désalignements, en raison de la faible tolérance angulaire de ces filtres. La seconde partie concerne de nouveaux types de filtres, dont le réseau résonant est encadré par 2 réseaux latéraux de demi-période. Ces filtres présentent une grande tolérance angulaire proche de 10°, associée à une largeur spectrale nanométrique, qui autorise un montage en oeil de chat, compact et facile à mettre en oeuvre, tout en obtenant une stabilisation spectrale avec un SMSR supérieur à 30dB.

International audience; Near infra-red (NIR) self-guided photo-polymerization is investigated in the context of micro-optics photo-fabrication on VCSELs (Vertical-Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers). We present the optimized process we have developed to allow for a collective fabrication on III-V devices wafers under real-time optical monitoring. The influence of photo-chemical parameters on final micro-elements dimensions is studied for two types of single mode 760nm VCSELs. The difference of the resulting tip shape between the two lasers is due to the strong differences of their emissions, as they are nicely reproduced by the computed near-field profiles. The tip shapes are also compared to those produced by the light emitted by an optical fiber and differences with VCSEL tips are discussed. Also the VCSEL characteristics with fabricated tips are discussed and found in good agreement with optical modeling.

International audience; An adaptive algorithm has been designed to treat interferometric self-mixing signals for weak and moderate laser feedback. With regard to the creation of an embedded displacement sensor, the reconstruction process is inspired from the interpolation feature found in digital-to-analog converters. By using an adaptive filter as the central process, the algorithm presents a high potential of parallelism to meet timing restrictions. A validation for different signal scenarios was carried out. The obtained precision and ease of maintainability enlightens its capabilities to be coupled with other signal processing methods to produce better system reliability.

© 2012 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.; International audience; This paper deals with the real time reconstruction of a self-mixing displacement signal under devices with limited resources. By implementing a first-order-hold interpolation used in digital-to-analog converters, the signal recovery problem has been reduced to the efficient usage of an adaptive filter with high potential of parallelism, suitable to meet hard timing constraints, low memory usage and easily integrable with other mitigation algorithms of the physical phenomena proper to laser behavior, towards the creation of a robust embedded displacement sensor.

International audience; The temperature dependence of the dynamic performance of p-doped InAs/GaAs quantum-dot distributed feedback (DFB) lasers emitting at 1.3 µm is investigated. A maximum relaxation frequency of ~7 GHz is demonstrated for a constant bias current over the whole 25°C-85°C temperature range. The Henry factor is temperature independent and remains constant at ~2.5. The effect of external optical feedback is assessed on the same device in a 10-Gb/s transmission over 20 km

The context of the work is the ultra-sensitive measurement of phase anisotropy permits by well-used of very high finesse cavity. To stabilize the laser frequency at the exact resonance of one cavity mode, a servo control based on optical feedback is used.In the first part, the optical coupling between laser and cavity is described through the comportment of the frequency of the self-locked laser. A comparison between experience and theory has permitted to identify the error signals in order to keep enduringly the laser frequency at the exact resonance. The experimental realization of the servo control into a 3 000 finesse cavity had demonstrated the stabilization of the laser frequency during more than ten hours with a residual one second excursion of 375 Hz.In the second part, the previous development has been used with a very high finesse cavity (F=250 000) to measure static Kerr birefringence in gases. The originality of the set-up is the use of the residual high reflectivity mirrors birefringence, firstly as the source of the optical feedback and secondly as an optical bias to measure the weak gas birefringence. An experimental and theoretical study of the noise according to the value of the optical bias has permitted a photon noise limited measurement (laser intensity of few mW). A record sensitivity of the phase shift induced by Kerr effect has been demonstrated at 3.10-13 rad with 800 s integration time. The scheme has been used to measure, in weak electric field (

International audience; A critical issue in optical chaos-based communications is the possibility to identify the parameters of the chaotic emitter and, hence, to break the security. In this paper, we study theoretically the identification of a chaotic emitter that consists of a semiconductor laser with an optical feedback. The identification of a critical security parameter, the external-cavity round-trip time (the time delay in the laser dynamics), is performed using both the auto-correlation function and delayed mutual information methods applied to the chaotic time-series. The influence on the time-delay identification of the experimentally tunable parameters, i.e., the feedback rate, the pumping current, and the time-delay value, is carefully studied. We show that difficult time-delay-identification scenarios strongly depend on the time-scales of the system dynamics as it undergoes a route to chaos, in particular on how close the relaxation oscillation period is from the external-cavity round-trip time.

International audience; This paper reports on the tolerance of low-dimensional InAs/InP quantum-dash- and quantum-dot-based semiconductor lasers to optical feedback in the 1.55 mum window. For this purpose, the onset of coherence collapse (CC) is experimentally determined and systematically investigated as a function of different laser parameters, such as the injection current, differential gain, temperature, and photon lifetime. It is in particular found that for both material systems the onset of CC increases with the injection current in a similar way to bulk or quantum-well-based devices. Of most importance, we experimentally show that the differential gain plays a key role in the optical feedback tolerance. It is indeed shown to determine not only the range of the onset of CC but also the dependence of this threshold both on the temperature and laser cavity length. Increasing the operating temperature from 25degC to 85degC leads to a decrease of the onset of CC by a factor of only ~3 dB, well accounted for by the variation of the differential gain in this temperature range. We find no difference in the tolerance to external reflections of a truly 3-D confined quantum-dot-based laser and a quantum dash device of the same cavity length, which have similar differential gains. A tentative analysis of our data is finally carried out, based on existing models.

The context of the work is the ultra-sensitive measurement of phase anisotropy permits by well-used of very high finesse cavity. To stabilize the laser frequency at the exact resonance of one cavity mode, a servo control based on optical feedback is used.In the first part, the optical coupling between laser and cavity is described through the comportment of the frequency of the self-locked laser. A comparison between experience and theory has permitted to identify the error signals in order to keep enduringly the laser frequency at the exact resonance. The experimental realization of the servo control into a 3 000 finesse cavity had demonstrated the stabilization of the laser frequency during more than ten hours with a residual one second excursion of 375 Hz.In the second part, the previous development has been used with a very high finesse cavity (F=250 000) to measure static Kerr birefringence in gases. The originality of the set-up is the use of the residual high reflectivity mirrors birefringence, firstly as the source of the optical feedback and secondly as an optical bias to measure the weak gas birefringence. An experimental and theoretical study of the noise according to the value of the optical bias has permitted a photon noise limited measurement (laser intensity of few mW). A record sensitivity of the phase shift induced by Kerr effect has been demonstrated at 3.10-13 rad with 800 s integration time. The scheme has been used to measure, in weak electric field (, Ce travail se place dans le cadre de la mesure ultrasensible d’anisotropie de phase optique que permet l’emploi adapté des cavités de très haute finesse. Pour stabiliser la fréquence laser sur une résonance de la cavité, un schéma d’asservissement reposant sur la rétroaction optique est utilisé.Une première partie décrit le couplage optique entre le laser et la cavité à travers l’analyse du comportement de la fréquence d’émission du laser auto-réinjecté. Une comparaison analytique théorie expérience a permis d’identifier les signaux d’erreur nécessaires au maintien durable de la fréquence du laser à l’exacte résonance d’un mode de la cavité. Après une description détaillée du dispositif d’asservissement, sa réalisation expérimentale sur une cavité de finesse de quelques milliers (F = 3 000)a démontré la possibilité de stabiliser la fréquence laser sur plus de dix heures avec une excursion résiduelle à la seconde de 375 Hz.Dans la deuxième partie, le développement précédent a été mis en œuvre sur une cavité de très haute finesse (F = 250 000) et a permis la mesure ultrasensible de biréfringence induite dans des gaz par effet Kerr. L’originalité du dispositif repose sur la mise à profit de la biréfringence résiduelle des miroirs de haute réflectivité.Elle est utilisée d’une part comme source à la rétroaction optique, et d’autre part comme biais optique à la mesure de la biréfringence du gaz. Une étude théorique et expérimentale détaillée des sources de bruit présent dans la chaîne de détection en fonction de la valeur du biais optique a permis de réaliser la mesure de déphasage au niveau du bruit de photons avec quelques mW de puissance laser. Ainsi, une sensibilité référence sur la mesure de déphasage Kerr de 3.10−13 rad a été démontrée pour un temps de mesure de 800 sec. Cette valeur record améliore de trois ordres de grandeur les déphasages Kerr précédemment mesurés. Le dispositif a été de plus mis à profit pour la mesure à faible champ électrique (< 40 V /mm) et à pression atmosphérique, des constantes de Kerr de différents gaz moléculaires et atomiques jusqu’à l’He.

International audience; In our project on the autonomous guidance of Micro-Air Vehicles (MAVs) in confined indoor and outdoor environments, we have combined an insect vision-based autopilot with a directional sound sensor, with which a miniature hovercraft reaches a sound source along a corridor by automatically controlling its speed, its clearance from the walls, and its body yaw. A hovercraft is an air vehicle endowed with natural roll and pitch stabilization characteristics, in which planar flight control systems can be developed conveniently. Our hovercraft is fully actuated by two rear and two lateral thrusters. It travels at a constant altitude (about 2mm) and senses the obstacles by means of two lateral eyes that measure the right and left optic flows (OFs). The visuo-motor control system, which has been previously called LORA III (Lateral Optic flow Regulation Autopilot, Mark III), is an insect-inspired dual OF regulator consisting of two interdependent feedback loops, each of which has its own OF set-point and controls its own translational degree of freedom (surge or sway). The sound based control system servoes the robot course direction to the sound source direction estimated by an insect-inspired sound sensor. Our computer-simulated experiments show that the hovercraft can navigate along a tapered corridor at a relatively high speed (up to 1.5m/s). Both minimalistic visual and sound systems (comprised of only 4 pixels and two 0.1g omni-directional microphones) suffices for the hovercraft to reach the target while controlling its clearance from the walls and its forward speed jointly, without any need for speed and range sensors.

International audience; Motivated by the results of behavioral studies performed on bees over the last two decades, we have attempted to decipher the logics behind the bee's autopilot, with specific reference to their use of optic flow (OF). Using computer-simulation experiments, we developed a vision-based autopilot that enables a 'simulated bee' to travel along a tunnel by controlling both its speed and its clearance from the walls, the ground, and the ceiling. The flying agent is fully actuated and can translate along three directions: surge, sway, and heave. The visuo-motor control system, called ALIS (AutopiLot using an Insect based vision System), is a dual OF regulator consisting of intertwined feedback loops, each of which has its own OF set-point. The experiments show that the simulated bee navigates safely along a straight or tapered tunnel and reacts sensibly to major OF perturbations caused, e.g., by the lack of texture on one wall or by the presence of a tapered tunnel. The agent is equipped with a minimalistic visual system (comprised of only eight pixels) that suffices to control the clearance from the four walls and the forward speed jointly, without the need to measure any speeds and distances. The OF sensors and the simple visuo-motor control system developed here are suitable for use on MAVs with avionic payloads as small as a few grams. Besides, the ALIS autopilot accounts remarkably for the quantitative results of ethological experiments performed on honeybees flying freely in straight or tapered corridors.

International audience; Optical feedback tolerance of InAs/InP quantum-dash based lasers is thoroughly investigated on several different structures. We show that the relevant significant parameter to explain the onset of coherence collapse for this material system is the differential gain