Switching mechanism in polarization-bistable semiconductor lasers

摘要

The steady-state and transient properties of polarization-bistable semiconductor lasers are investigated, both experimentally and theoretically. An analysis based on coupled rate equations for a two-mode system with unequal gain/current characteristics is presented. The simple rate-equation model explains the general features of the observed bistable-switching behaviour. The condition for the existence of polarization bistability is determined using laser parameters.