Ghost stochastic resonance in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers: experiment and theory

Area of Science:

• Nonlinear optics
• Laser physics
• Quantum optics

Background:

• Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are crucial semiconductor devices.
• Understanding their polarization dynamics under external forcing is essential for advanced applications.
• Stochastic resonance is a phenomenon where noise enhances signal detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the polarization response of a VCSEL driven by noise and periodic signals.
• To explore the occurrence of stochastic resonance in the bistable regime of VCSELs.
• To identify and theoretically confirm the presence of a "ghost resonance".

Main Methods:

• Experimental study of VCSEL polarization dynamics.
• Simultaneous application of noise and weak periodic driving signals.
• Theoretical modeling to confirm experimental observations.

Main Results:

• Experimental observation of stochastic resonance in a bistable VCSEL.
• Detection of a "ghost resonance" at a frequency absent in the input signals.
• Theoretical confirmation of the ghost resonance phenomenon.

Conclusions:

• Stochastic resonance can manifest as a "ghost resonance" in VCSELs.
• This phenomenon offers new insights into nonlinear dynamics and signal processing in lasers.
• The findings have implications for designing more robust and sensitive optoelectronic devices.