Open AccessPolarization mode control of long-wavelength VCSELs by intracavity patterning
Author(s) -
Christopher M. Long,
Zlatko Micković,
B. Dwir,
A. Caliman,
В. Яковлев,
A. Mereuta,
Alexei Sirbu,
E. Kapon
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.24.009715
Subject(s) - optics , birefringence , materials science , polarization (electrochemistry) , polarization rotator , vertical cavity surface emitting laser , laser , optoelectronics , wavelength , anisotropy , semiconductor laser theory , physics , chemistry
Polarization mode control is enhanced in wafer-fused vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers emitting at 1310 nm wavelength by etching two symmetrically arranged arcs above the gain structure within the laser cavity. The intracavity patterning introduces birefringence and dichroism, which discriminates between the two polarization states of the fundamental transverse modes. We find that the cavity modifications define the polarization angle at threshold with respect to the crystal axes, and increase the gain anisotropy and birefringence on average, leading to an increase in the polarization switching current. Experimental measurements are explained using the spin-flip model of VCSEL polarization dynamics.