Abstract
The polarization-dependent gain (PDG) characteristics of a vertical-cavity semiconductor optical amplifier (VCSOA) are measured, and the case of the PDG is determined. It is often assumed that the polarization states of a VCSOA are degenerate because of the circular geometry of the device. This assumption is not true in practice, and it is found that VCSOAs possess a dominant linear polarization state and a small difference in frequency between polarization states. The difference in resonant frequencies causes the PDG of the VCSOA. Measurements of the polarization state show that the cause of the splitting is electro-optic birefringence.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1888-1890 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Optics Letters |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 16 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 15 2004 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics