Polarization and tranverse mode nonlinear dynamics in a multimode VCSEL

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates the complex nonlinear dynamics and chaos routes in multimode VCSELs, highlighting how higher order transverse modes introduce new bifurcations and mode competition phenomena.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of multimode VCSEL dynamics including higher order modes, revealing new bifurcations and mode competition effects not seen in single-mode lasers.

Findings

Higher order transverse modes cause additional bifurcations at high currents.

Mode competition influences polarization and transverse profile dynamics.

Qualitative agreement with recent experimental observations.

Abstract

We theoretically analyze the nonlinear dynamics and routes to chaos in a multimode vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (MM-VCSEL) in free-running operation. Including higher order transverse modes (TMs) results in additional bifurcations at higher currents not found for single-mode VCSELs (SM-VCSELs). The resulting dynamics involve competition between modes with different transverse profiles and polarization and show good qualitative agreement with recent experiments.