Optical injection locking of polarization modes and spatial modes in single-aperture VCSELs and VCSEL arrays emitting at 1.3 µm

E. Lamothe; C. Long; A. Mereuta; A. Caliman; A. Sirbu; V. Iakovlev; G. Suruceanu; E. Kapon

doi:10.1117/12.922138

10 May 2012 Optical injection locking of polarization modes and spatial modes in single-aperture VCSELs and VCSEL arrays emitting at 1.3 μm

E. Lamothe, C. Long, A. Mereuta, A. Caliman, A. Sirbu, V. Iakovlev, G. Suruceanu, E. Kapon

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8432, Semiconductor Lasers and Laser Dynamics V; 84321V (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.922138
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2012, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

We report the injection locking of specific spatial modes and polarization modes of 1.3μm wavelength vertical surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) in single-aperture devices and phase-coupled arrays. The optical injection is realized using a master laser (ML) VCSEL, the beam of which is directed onto the output facet of the slave laser (SL) VCSEL or VCSEL array. We measured the emission spectra of the SL as the ML operating conditions (frequency, power) were varied systematically, and present the results on two-dimensional stability maps of power versus detuning of the ML from the injected modes. In single-aperture devices, the high degree of circular symmetry allows the support of two modes with orthogonal polarizations with ~75 GHz frequency difference. With optical injection, we could induce a polarization mode switching and decrease the power of the free running mode by 25 dB. Model calculations confirm injection locking and specify the stability region. In a 1×2 VCSEL array defined by tunnel junction patterning and biased below threshold, we injection locked the fundamental mode (1×2 mode) and a « broad area » mode (1×3 mode). The spatial overlap between the ML spot and the array mode is shown to be a key factor in injection locking. Locking of the non-lasing 1×3 mode results in suppressed output power of the free running 1×2 mode. These studies are useful for understanding the mode structure of these VCSELs and suggesting ways for their discrimination.

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E. Lamothe, C. Long, A. Mereuta, A. Caliman, A. Sirbu, V. Iakovlev, G. Suruceanu, and E. Kapon "Optical injection locking of polarization modes and spatial modes in single-aperture VCSELs and VCSEL arrays emitting at 1.3 μm", Proc. SPIE 8432, Semiconductor Lasers and Laser Dynamics V, 84321V (10 May 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.922138

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