Chaos generation and synchronization using an integrated source with an air gap

We discuss experimentally and numerically the dynamical behavior of a novel integrated semiconductor laser subject to multiple optical feedback loops. The laser's structure consists of distributed feedback section coupled to a waveguide, an air gap section and two phase sections. It is found that the laser, due to the multiple feedback loops and under certain operating conditions, displays chaotic behaviors appropriate for chaos-based communications. The synchronization properties of two unidirectionally coupled (master-slave) systems are also studied. Finally, we find numerically the conditions for message encryption/extraction using the multiple-feedback lasers.