Nonlinear dynamics of polarization switching of a 1550-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser under orthogonal optical injection

Abstract

Nonlinear dynamics associated with polarization switching (PS) in a 1550 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with orthogonal optical injection is investigated theoretically by scanning the injected power. The results show that, adjusting injected powers may induce complex variation of dynamical state of each polarization mode and PS. When the PS happens, its dynamical states can be located at an injection locking state or not, which depends on the frequency detuning between the injected field and the VCSEL. Detailed mappings of polarization-resolved nonlinear dynamical states are calculated to unveil a rich variety of dynamical scenarios for different scanning routes of injected power in the parameter space of injected power and frequency detuning, and show that the dynamical states and PS are critically dependent on the scanning routes of the injected power under the case of larger current.