Polarization switching in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers to the mode with lower unsaturated gain

This study reinvestigates polarization switching (PS) from the mode with higher to the mode with lower optical frequency in experiments and simulations within the framework of the model developed previously. This work investigate small-area devices emitting around 850 nm. The emission is in the fundamental transverse mode up to twice the threshold current. Experimental observation of PS is reported with an abrupt decrease of output power at the point of the PS, i.e. the mode that lases after the PS emits less power in comparison to the other mode. The linear interpolation of the power of the mode with lower optical frequency indicates a higher threshold current of this mode.