Different forms of wavelength polarization switching and bistability in a 155 μm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser under orthogonally polarized optical injection

Different forms of wavelength polarization switching and bistability are reported in a 1550 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) operated just above threshold and subject to orthogonally polarized optical injection into the subsidiary orthogonal polarization mode. This diversity of behavior at the wavelength of 1550 nm offers promise for the use of VCSELs in optical signal processing and optical switching applications.