Polarization characteristics, control, and modulation of vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States). Photonics Research Dept.
- AT and T Bell Labs., Breinigsville, PA (United States)
The gain-dependent polarization properties of vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers and methods for polarization control and modulation are discussed. The partitioning of power between the two orthogonal eigen polarizations is shown to depend upon the relative spectral alignment of the nondegenerate polarization cavity resonances with the laser gain spectrum. A dominant polarization can thus be maintained by employing a blue-shifted offset of the peak laser gain relative to the cavity resonance wavelength. Alternatively, the polarization can be controlled through use of anisotropic transverse cavity geometries. The orthogonal eigen polarizations are also shown to enable polarization modulation. By exploiting polarization switching transitions in cruciform lasers, polarization modulation of the fundamental mode up to 50 MHz is demonstrated. At lower modulation frequencies, complementary digital polarized output or frequency doubling of the polarized output is obtained. Control and manipulation of vertical-cavity laser polarization may prove valuable for present and future applications.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 34417
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--95-0482C; CONF-950226--26; ON: DE95008526
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Polarization modulation of cruciform vertical-cavity laser diodes
Stable polarization self-modulation in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers