Phase space techniques for steering laser transients

We discuss various nonfeedback techniques, based on the knowledge of the ph ase space, to steer the turn-on of class B lasers. The features and pitfall s 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 intro duced; 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 relev ant technical literature is presented.