High-Dimensional Chaotic Dynamics of an External Cavity Semiconductor Laser

We report experimental realization of high-dimensional chaos in a semiconductor laser with delayed feedback from a T-shaped cavity. We study the transition phenomena from regular to high-dimensional chaotic behavior and analyze the time series quantitatively. Correlation dimensions up to $C_2\simeq 7$ are determined reliably from experimental data by a combination of a singular value analysis and a Grassberger-Procaccia algorithm. Modeling the dynamical behavior using semiclassical delay rate equations provides a basic understanding of the observed delay-induced instabilities.