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Observation of low-frequency fluctuations in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers
Natsuki Fujiwara1, Yoshiro Takiguchi, Junji Ohtsubo
1Faculty of Engineering, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Hamamatsu 432-8561, Japan.
Optics Letters
|June 21, 2003
Summary
Low-frequency fluctuations were observed in the y-polarization mode of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser with optical feedback. This finding is typical for irregular oscillations in edge-emitting semiconductor lasers.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Semiconductor Physics
Background:
- Edge-emitting semiconductor lasers often exhibit low-frequency fluctuations (LFFs), characterized by irregular oscillations.
- Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are widely used in optical communication and sensing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the presence and characteristics of low-frequency fluctuations in the y-polarization mode of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser.
- To understand the behavior of optical feedback effects on laser dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Experimental setup involving a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser.
- Introduction of controlled optical feedback into the laser cavity.
- Measurement and analysis of laser output, specifically focusing on the y-polarization mode.
Main Results:
- Low-frequency fluctuations were experimentally observed in the y-polarization mode of the VCSEL.
- The observed fluctuations align with the typical irregular oscillation patterns seen in edge-emitting semiconductor lasers.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the occurrence of low-frequency fluctuations in the y-polarization mode of a VCSEL under optical feedback.
- This suggests that VCSELs, similar to edge-emitting lasers, can exhibit complex dynamics influenced by external feedback.