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Title: Rate equations for vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Journal Article · · Physical Review. A
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Applied Physics and Photonics (TW-TONA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels (Belgium)

By applying a multiple time scale perturbation method, we simplify the spin-flip model equations [San Miguel et al., Phys. Rev. A 52, 1728 (1995)] describing the polarization behavior of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. The reduced problem consists of three rate equations for a two-mode semiconductor laser. The asymptotic theory is based on the natural values of the laser parameters and considers the case of large values of the spin-flip rate and birefringence with respect to the relaxation oscillation frequency. Our analysis corrects and complements previous derivations of rate equations from the spin-flip model equations. We find that the cross-gain saturation coefficients due to spin-flip processes are not symmetric and may become negative. As a result, a new physical interpretation of polarization switching from the high-frequency mode to the low-frequency mode and for high values of the birefringence is possible.

OSTI ID:
20634169
Journal Information:
Physical Review. A, Vol. 67, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.67.013809; (c) 2003 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English