Open AccessCorrelation properties and drift phenomena in the dynamics of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with optical feedback
Author(s) -
Markus Sondermann,
T. Ackemann
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/opex.13.002707
Subject(s) - optics , laser , physics , harmonics , polarization (electrochemistry) , frequency domain , semiconductor laser theory , voltage , mathematical analysis , chemistry , mathematics , quantum mechanics
We investigate experimentally the polarization dynamics of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with isotropic optical feedback operating in the long-cavity regime. By means of an analysis of the correlation properties in the time domain and in the frequency domain a connection between a drift phenomenon and frequency components that deviate from the harmonics of the external cavity round-trip frequency is revealed. The latter frequency components are shown to result from an interaction of external cavity dynamics and relaxation oscillations. An analogy to the carrier-envelope effect in mode-locked lasers is drawn. Similar drift phenomena are observed also for other laser systems with delay.