Stabilizing continuous-wave output in semiconductor lasers by time-delayed feedback

Amplitude death in oscillator networks with variable-delay coupling

We study the conditions of amplitude death in a network of delay-coupled limit cycle oscillators by including time-varying delay in the coupling and self-feedback. By generalizing the master stability function formalism to include variable-delay connections with high-frequency delay modulations (i.e., the distributed-delay limit), we analyze the regimes of amplitude death in a ring network of Stuart-Landau oscillators and demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method with respect to the constant delay case. The possibility of stabilizing the steady state is restricted by the odd-number property of the local node dynamics independently of the network topology and the coupling parameters.

Feedback control of flow alignment in sheared liquid crystals

Based on a continuum theory, we investigate the manipulation of the nonequilibrium behavior of a sheared liquid crystal via closed-loop feedback control. Our goal is to stabilize a specific dynamical state, that is, the stationary "flow alignment," under conditions where the uncontrolled system displays oscillatory director dynamics with in-plane symmetry. To this end we employ time-delayed feedback control (TDFC), where the equation of motion for the ith component q(i)(t) of the order parameter tensor is supplemented by a control term involving the difference q(i)(t)-q(i)(t-τ). In this diagonal scheme, τ is the delay time. We demonstrate that the TDFC method successfully stabilizes flow alignment for suitable values of the control strength K and τ; these values are determined by solving an exact eigenvalue equation. Moreover, our results show that only small values of K are needed when the system is sheared from an isotropic equilibrium state, contrary to the case where the equilibrium state is nematic.

Delayed feedback control of unstable steady states with high-frequency modulation of the delay

We analyze the stabilization of unstable steady states by delayed feedback control with a periodic time-varying delay in the regime of a high-frequency modulation of the delay. The average effect of the delayed feedback term in the control force is equivalent to a distributed delay in the interval of the modulation, and the obtained distribution depends on the type of the modulation. In our analysis we use a simple generic normal form of an unstable focus, and investigate the effects of phase-dependent coupling and the influence of the control loop latency on the controllability. In addition, we have explored the influence of the modulation of the delays in multiple delay feedback schemes consisting of two independent delay lines of Pyragas type. A main advantage of the variable delay is the considerably larger domain of stabilization in parameter space.

Distinguishing signatures of determinism and stochasticity in spiking complex systems

We describe a method to infer signatures of determinism and stochasticity in the sequence of apparently random intensity dropouts emitted by a semiconductor laser with optical feedback. The method uses ordinal time-series analysis to classify experimental data of inter-dropout-intervals (IDIs) in two categories that display statistically significant different features. Despite the apparent randomness of the dropout events, one IDI category is consistent with waiting times in a resting state until noise triggers a dropout, and the other is consistent with dropouts occurring during the return to the resting state, which have a clear deterministic component. The method we describe can be a powerful tool for inferring signatures of determinism in the dynamics of complex systems in noisy environments, at an event-level description of their dynamics.

Towards easier realization of time-delayed feedback control of odd-number orbits

We develop generalized time-delayed feedback schemes for the stabilization of periodic orbits with an odd number of positive Floquet exponents, which are particularly well suited for experimental realization. We construct the parameter regimes of successful control and validate these by numerical simulations and numerical continuation methods. In particular, it is shown how periodic orbits can be stabilized with symmetric feedback matrices by introducing an additional latency time in the control loop. Finally, we show using normal form analysis and numerical simulations how our results could be implemented in a laser setup using optoelectronic feedback.

Transient behavior in systems with time-delayed feedback

We investigate the transient times for the onset of control of steady states by time-delayed feedback. The optimization of control by minimizing the transient time before control becomes effective is discussed analytically and numerically, and the competing influences of local and global features are elaborated. We derive an algebraic scaling of the transient time and confirm our findings by numerical simulations in dependence on feedback gain and time delay.

Shear-stress-controlled dynamics of nematic complex fluids

Based on a mesoscopic theory we investigate the nonequilibrium dynamics of a sheared nematic liquid, with the control parameter being the shear stress σ xy (rather than the usual shear rate, γ). To this end we supplement the equations of motion for the orientational order parameters by an equation for γ, which then becomes time dependent. Shearing the system from an isotropic state, the stress-controlled flow properties turn out to be essentially identical to those at fixed γ. Pronounced differences occur when the equilibrium state is nematic. Here, shearing at controlled γ yields several nonequilibrium transitions between different dynamic states, including chaotic regimes. The corresponding stress-controlled system has only one transition from a regular periodic into a stationary (shear-aligned) state. The position of this transition in the σ xy-γ plane turns out to be tunable by the delay time entering our control scheme for σ xy. Moreover, a sudden change in the control method can stabilize the chaotic states appearing at fixed γ.

Broadband chaos generated by an optoelectronic oscillator

We study an optoelectronic time-delay oscillator that displays high-speed chaotic behavior with a flat, broad power spectrum. The chaotic state coexists with a linearly stable fixed point, which, when subjected to a finite-amplitude perturbation, loses stability initially via a periodic train of ultrafast pulses. We derive approximate mappings that do an excellent job of capturing the observed instability. The oscillator provides a simple device for fundamental studies of time-delay dynamical systems and can be used as a building block for ultrawide-band sensor networks.

Delay stabilization of periodic orbits in coupled oscillator systems

We study diffusively coupled oscillators in Hopf normal form. By introducing a non-invasive delay coupling, we are able to stabilize the inherently unstable anti-phase orbits. For the super- and subcritical cases, we state a condition on the oscillator's nonlinearity that is necessary and sufficient to find coupling parameters for successful stabilization. We prove these conditions and review previous results on the stabilization of odd-number orbits by time-delayed feedback. Finally, we illustrate the results with numerical simulations.