Optical feedback assistant current-driven polarization switching of VCSELs

摘要

This research investigated the effects of optical feedback on the current-driven polarization switching (CDPS) of VCSELs which exhibit significant polarization-switching hysteresis loop in L-I curve. Experimental results indicated that optical feedback can increase the bandwidth of CDPS. For VCSELs which exhibit wide polarization-switching hysteresis loop, the extension of CDPS bandwidth is limited by the time required to modulate the current to cross the width of the hysteresis loop. Accordingly, the optical feedback configuration which results the narrowest hysteresis loop will conduct the largest bandwidth extension.