Experimental synchronization of spatiotemporal chaos

We report the first experimental evidence of a successful synchronization of spatiotemporal chaos. The experiments were performed on two unidirectionally coupled, nonlinear-optical systems of single-feedback type. The synchronization was investigated for different degrees of complexity of the spontaneous structures. In all cases, the cross-correlation between the two system states was found to increase with the strength of the coupling. Numerical simulations yield comparable results and throw a light on the role of spatial inhomogeneities, which hamper a perfect synchronization.