CAREER: Stability and Polarization Control of Single Mode Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers Exposed to Optical Feedback

拟议的综合研究和教育计划集中于研究单横模垂直腔面发射激光器(VCSEL)的偏振不稳定性和对光反馈的敏感性。这些相互交织的困难困扰着正在努力开发单模VCSEL用于波分复用通信网络和光盘读出等应用的努力。此外，我们预计我们的工作将对其他具有较大对称度的低维半导体纳米激光器的未来研究具有指导意义。偏振稳定性的实验研究将使用我们建立的一个新的模型来描述存在光反馈的具有两个偏振本征态的垂直腔面发射激光器。这项连续波工作将扩展到研究具有光反馈的垂直腔面发射激光器的小信号调制响应。最后，这些调查结果将被用来探索提高单模垂直腔面发射激光器在光反馈下的稳定性和偏振控制的实用策略。所提出的研究将被整合到我们的本科物理和工程专业的教育中，包括课堂上和本科生直接参与我的研究项目。为了使我们的学生获得必要的研究技能，我们正在开发一个新的研究性、探究式、大二水平的教学光电子学实验室。此外，我们还在我们的入门课程中引入了教学改革，旨在鼓励学生参与批判性分析的过程，这对成功的创造性研究至关重要。最终，这种研究和教学的结合将有助于解决VCSEL发展中的一个关键问题，同时为我们的本科生加入下一代女性科学家和工程师的行列做好准备。

The proposed integrated research and education program focusses oninvestigation of the notorious polarization instability and sensitivityto optical feedback of single transverse mode vertical cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELs). These intertwined difficulties plague ongoingefforts to develop the use of single mode VCSELs for applications suchas wavelength division multiplexed communications networks and opticaldisk readout. Furthermore, we expect that our work will be relevant tofuture investigations of other low-dimensional semiconductor nano-laserswith a large degree of symmetry. The experimental investigations ofpolarization stability will be analyzed using a novel model that we havedeveloped to describe VCSELs with two polarization eigenstates in thepresence of optical feedback. This CW work will then be extended to aninvestigation of the small-signal modulation response of VCSELs withoptical feedback. Finally, the results of these investigations will beused to explore practical strategies for improving the stability andpolarization control of single mode VCSELs exposed to optical feedback.The proposed research will be integrated into the education of ourundergraduate physics and engineering majors, both in the classroom andvia direct participation of undergraduates in my research program. Inorder to enable our students to acquire the necessary research skills,we are developing a new investigative, inquiry-driven, sophomore-levelinstructional optoelectronics lab. In addition, we are introducing intoour introductory sequence pedagogical reforms aimed at encouragingstudents to engage in the processes of critical analysis that areessential to successful, creative research. Ultimately, thisintegration of research and teaching will contribute to the resolutionof a critical problem in VCSEL development while preparing ourundergraduates to join the ranks of the next generation of womenscientists and engineers.