Towards high-frequency operation of polarization oscillations in spin vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Markus Lindemann; Henning Höpfner; Nils C. Gerhardt; Martin R. Hofmann; Tobias Pusch; Rainer Michalzik

doi:10.1117/12.2197969

3 September 2015 Towards high-frequency operation of polarization oscillations in spin vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Markus Lindemann, Henning Höpfner, Nils C. Gerhardt, Martin R. Hofmann, Tobias Pusch, Rainer Michalzik

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9551, Spintronics VIII; 95512O (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2197969
Event: SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Compared to purely charge based devices, spintronic lasers offer promising perspectives for new superior device concepts. Especially vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with spin-polarization (spin-VCSELs) feature ultrafast spin and polarization dynamics. Oscillations in the circular polarization degree can be generated using pulsed spin-injection. The oscillations evolve due to the carrier-spin-photon system that is coupled for the linear modes in the VCSEL's cavity via the birefringence. The polarization oscillations are independent of the conventional relaxation oscillations and have the potential to exceed frequencies of 100 GHz. The oscillations are switchable and can be the basis for ultrafast directly modulated spin-VCSELs for, e.g., communication purposes. The polarization oscillation frequency is mainly determined by the birefringence. We show a method to tune the birefringence and thus the polarization oscillation frequency by adding mechanical strain to the substrate in the vicinity of the laser. We achieved first experimental results for high-frequency operation using 850 nm oxide-confined single-mode VCSELs. The results are compared with simulations using the spin-flip-model for high birefringence values.

Citation Download Citation

Markus Lindemann, Henning Höpfner, Nils C. Gerhardt, Martin R. Hofmann, Tobias Pusch, and Rainer Michalzik "Towards high-frequency operation of polarization oscillations in spin vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers", Proc. SPIE 9551, Spintronics VIII, 95512O (3 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2197969

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