The is a joint effort through subcontracts, with Raj Roy, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Steven Strogatz, Cornell University The researchers will investigate synchronization of chaotic lasers for purposes of using chaos as a carrier for new modes of communication including multiplexing information bearing signals and private communications using chaotic carriers as well as methods for optical channel equalization using nonlinear properties of the fiber. The program will include experiments on Nd:YAG and Erbium Doped lasers, analysis of synchronization methods and innovative communications techniques, and mathematical analysis of synchronization of a few and assemblies of chaotic oscillators with application to optical communications. A "group meeting" workshop will be held semi-annually and each year we will invite experts in optics, optical engineering, and optical communications to provide additional research expertise to broaden the horizons of the students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty involved in this project
