CAREER: Stability and Polarization Control of Single Mode Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers Exposed to Optical Feedback

Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley MA

Investigators

Abstract

The proposed integrated research and education program focusses on investigation of the notorious polarization instability and sensitivity to optical feedback of single transverse mode vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). These intertwined difficulties plague ongoing efforts to develop the use of single mode VCSELs for applications such as wavelength division multiplexed communications networks and optical disk readout. Furthermore, we expect that our work will be relevant to future investigations of other low-dimensional semiconductor nano-lasers with a large degree of symmetry. The experimental investigations of polarization stability will be analyzed using a novel model that we have developed to describe VCSELs with two polarization eigenstates in the presence of optical feedback. This CW work will then be extended to an investigation of the small-signal modulation response of VCSELs with optical feedback. Finally, the results of these investigations will be used to explore practical strategies for improving the stability and polarization control of single mode VCSELs exposed to optical feedback. The proposed research will be integrated into the education of our undergraduate physics and engineering majors, both in the classroom and via direct participation of undergraduates in my research program. In order to enable our students to acquire the necessary research skills, we are developing a new investigative, inquiry-driven, sophomore-level instructional optoelectronics lab. In addition, we are introducing into our introductory sequence pedagogical reforms aimed at encouraging students to engage in the processes of critical analysis that are essential to successful, creative research. Ultimately, this integration of research and teaching will contribute to the resolution of a critical problem in VCSEL development while preparing our undergraduates to join the ranks of the next generation of women scientists and engineers.