Polarization control of vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers using a birefringent metal/dielectric polarizer loaded on top distributed Bragg reflector

A novel polarization control method using a birefringent metal/dielectric (semiconductor) polarizer has been proposed for the purpose of controlling the polarization state of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL's). The proposed structure provides a phase difference for two orthogonal polarization states, resulting in reasonably large reflectivity difference in two polarizations. We have experimentally demonstrated the polarization control InGaAs-GaAs VCSEL's while maintaining a low threshold current density of 660 A/cm/sup 2/. A predominant polarization state along the designed orientation is obtained up to two times the threshold.>