Nonlinear dynamics accompanying polarization switching in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with orthogonal optical injection

Abstract

We present an experimental investigation of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) submitted to orthogonal optical injection, i.e., the injected light is linearly polarized and orthogonal to that emitted by the solitary VCSEL. Bifurcation boundaries of qualitatively different dynamics are mapped out in the frequency detuning-injection strength plane. We unveil rich and complex dynamics including injection locking, limit cycle, wave mixing, and period doubling route to chaos.