Polarization selection in VCSELs due to current carrier heating

Abstract
The problem of polarization switching of light from a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) is discussed. It is shown that heating of holes in the p-type distributed Bragg reflector and of electrons and holes in the quantum wells of the active region lead to switching of the polarization of the VCSEL. The model developed here makes it possible to explain the results of experiments on switching of the polarization of VCSELs at fixed active region temperatures.