Spontaneous Formation of Vector Vortex Beams in Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers with Feedback

Area of Science:

• Laser physics
• Nonlinear optics
• Optical beams

Background:

• Vector vortex beams possess complex polarization structures.
• Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are fundamental optical devices.
• Controlling polarization in laser output is crucial for applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spontaneous generation of vector vortex beams in a VCSEL.
• To characterize novel polarization structures, including antivortices and radially polarized vortices.
• To explore the solitonlike properties of these emergent beams.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) system.
• Implementing frequency-selective feedback to influence beam formation.
• Analyzing polarization distributions and beam structures.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated spontaneous emergence of vector vortex beams with nonuniform polarization.
• Observed antivortices with hyperbolic polarization and radially polarized vortices.
• Confirmed coexistence of uniform and nonuniform polarization distributions.
• Identified solitonlike properties of the vector vortices.

Conclusions:

• Nontrivial vector vortex structures can spontaneously form in simple VCSEL systems.
• Frequency-selective feedback enables the generation of complex polarization states.
• The discovered vector vortices exhibit unique properties with potential for future research.