Phase space techniques for steering laser transients

We discuss various nonfeedback techniques, based on the knowledge of the phase space, to steer the turn-on of class B lasers. The features and pitfalls of single-step steering are analysed and the effectiveness of two-driving-step ballistic steering is demonstrated on the basis of a realistic model for an edge emitting semiconductor laser. Continuous steering is then introduced; simple criteria for its use are presented and applied numerically to the turn-on of a CO₂ laser. The potential applications resorting from this nonlinear dynamical analysis are addressed and a brief review of the relevant technical literature is presented.