Polarization switching in VCSEL´s due to thermal lensing

Author

Panajotov, Krassimir ; Ryvkin, Boris ; Danckaert, Jan ; Peeters, Michael ; Thienpont, Hugo ; Veretennicoff, Irina

Author_Institution

Appl. Phys. Dept., Vrije Univ., Brussels, Belgium

Volume

10

Issue

1

fYear

1998

Firstpage

6

Lastpage

8

Abstract

We demonstrate a new mechanism for polarization switching in slightly anisotropic vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL´s) based on index guiding due to the effect of thermal lensing. This polarization switching takes place when the laser operates on the short-wavelength side of the gain maximum. The two orthogonal linear polarizations correspond to slightly different wavelengths and switching occurs from shorter toward longer laser wavelength as the drive current increases. Polarization modulation has been observed up to 50 MHz with a polarization contrast ratio of 20:1.

Keywords

laser cavity resonators; light polarisation; quantum well lasers; surface emitting lasers; thermo-optical effects; 50 MHz; GaAs-AlGaAs; Polarization modulation; VCSEL; drive current; gain maximum; index guiding; laser wavelength; orthogonal linear polarizations; polarization contrast ratio; polarization switching; proton-implanted GaAs-AlGaAs multiple-quantum-well VCSEL; short-wavelength side; slightly anisotropic vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers; thermal lensing; Anisotropic magnetoresistance; Optical polarization; Optical pulses; Physics; Semiconductor lasers; Surface emitting lasers; Switches; Temperature; Thermal lensing; Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1041-1135

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/68.651080

Filename

651080