We show how the polarization properties of VCSELs can be exploited usefully in order to realize reconfigurable optical interconnects. We present three set-ups in which the VCSEL light output falls on a polarization-selective diffractive optical element (PSDOE): polarization switching by current modulation, polarization switching by optical injection, and the use of two independent orthogonally polarized VCSELs. A PS-DOE was designed to generate a different spot array for each of the two orthogonal linear polarization states.
展开▼