Polarization-resolved nonlinear dynamics induced by orthogonal optical injection in long-wavelength VCSELs

Abstract

We report a first experimental study of the polarization-resolved nonlinear dynamics of a 1550 nm single-mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) subject to orthogonal optical injection. Stability maps identifying the boundaries between regions of different nonlinear dynamics are reported for two different values of the bias current. A rich variety of nonlinear behaviors including periodic, period doubling, and irregular dynamics are observed for both polarizations. Polarization switching and injection locking induced by the optical injection are also included in the mapping. Analysis is given also in terms of the frequency detuning between the injected light and the orthogonal linear polarization of the VCSEL. When the frequency detuning is positive polarization switching can be observed in a periodic dynamical regime, including both period one and period two behaviors. For positive frequency detuning, the only polarization that contributes to the dynamics of the total power is the orthogonal polarization. For negative frequency detunings both linear polarizations contribute to the dynamics of the total power.