Nonlinear Effects in Photonic Materials - Abstract

Schulz-Ruhtenberg, Malte

Properties of spatial patterns in broad-area vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and their control

Transverse modes in broad-area vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) show a distinct coupling between spatial and polarization degrees of freedom. Three mechanisms of polarization selection are found depending on the characteristic transverse length scale: intrinsic material anisotropies, the anisotropic reflection of TE- and TM-waves at the Bragg reflectors and the linear coupling of travelling waves at the incidence on the side boundaries of the device. Using frequency-selective feedback we demonstrate control over the characteristic pattern length scale.