Different forms of wavelength polarization switching and bistability in a 1.55 μm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser under orthogonally polarized optical injection

Different forms of wavelength polarization switching and bistability are reported in a 1550 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) operated just above threshold and subject to orthogonally polarized optical injection into the subsidiary orthogonal polarization mode. This diversity of behavior at the wave-length of 1550 nm offers promise for the use of VCSELs in optical signal processing and optical switching applications.