Abstract
We report the first experimental observation of three distinct forms of two-wavelength switching (clockwise, anticlockwise, and butterfly) for a 1550 nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) operated just above threshold and subject to orthogonally polarized optical injection. The spectrum of the device exhibits two modes, a main mode emitting in a "parallel" polarization and a subsidiary "orthogonal" polarized mode. Low input-power switching of the emission wavelength of the VCSEL by an orthogonally polarized external optical signal injected to the long-wavelength side of the subsidiary mode is observed. Clock-wise switching and bistability of the main lasing mode with very high on-off contrast ratio has been measured in all cases. Three different switching shapes: anticlockwise, butterfly, and clock-wise, have been measured for the output of the optically injected VCSEL. This diversity of switching behavior with a 1550 nm VCSEL subject to optical injection offers promise for the use of these devices in all-optical switching/routing as well as optical interconnect applications.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 911-917 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2008 |
Keywords
- light polarization
- optical bistability
- two-wavelength switching
- vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL)