The dynamics of a semiconductor-laser array whose individual elements are c
oupled in a global way through an external mirror is numerically analyzed.
A coherent in-phase solution is seen to be preferred by the system at inter
mediate values of the feedback-coupling strength. At low values of this par
ameter, a strong amplification of the spontaneous emission noise is observe
d. A tendency towards chaos synchronization is also observed at large value
s of the feedback strength.