Coherent Multi‐Pulsing Induced by Engineered Heterogeneity in Diode Laser Arrays

ABSTRACT The generation of high‐power controlled pulse trains in semiconductor lasers is of significant theoretical and practical interest, with broad applications across many fields. Previous work on diode lasers has primarily focused on single‐pulse emission from individual diodes, inherently limiting output power. Here, we demonstrate that large direct‐current‐driven external‐cavity laser arrays, subject only to optical feedback and engineered frequency heterogeneity, can exhibit robust, coherent multi‐pulsing dynamics. We uncover a multi‐pulse generation mechanism driven by two‐cluster formation and heterogeneity‐induced interburst oscillations, resulting in desirable features such as multi‐GHz operation, high peak power, and nearly perfect phase synchronization. Our results pave the way for designing and manufacturing miniature photonic chip arrays capable of scalable multi‐pulse generation. Beyond photonics, the underlying multi‐pulse mechanism may be broadly relevant to physical and biological networks, where oscillator heterogeneity can give rise to coherent spiking and bursting dynamics.