Computational chaos in nonlinear optics

A few models of nonlinear optical systems, known experimentally to possess both stable and unstable dynamical modes, are approximated by different dynamical models and integrated by different numerical methods. It is shown that the onset of instabilities and chaotic behavior in the same physical system may be dependent on the model used and on the numerical method applied. Finite order difference schemes should be applied with caution to infinite dimensional dynamical systems displaying irregular behavior.