Laser Doppler velocimetry with polarization-bistable VCSELs

Author

Albert, J. ; Soriano, M.C. ; Veretennicoff, I. ; Panajotov, K. ; Danckaert, J. ; Porta, P.A. ; Curtin, D.P. ; McInerney, J.G.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Appl. Phys. & Photonics, Vrije Univ. Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

Volume

10

Issue

5

fYear

2004

Firstpage

1006

Lastpage

1012

Abstract

We present a rate equation model of a single mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with two states of linear polarization, subject to Doppler-shifted optical feedback. Recent experimental work has shown that the polarization bistability often observed in VCSELs can be exploited to enhance the responsivity of these semiconductor lasers in speed-sensing applications. We review these experimental results briefly and use the rate equation model to explain the increased signal-to-noise ratio.

Keywords

Doppler measurement; laser cavity resonators; laser feedback; laser modes; laser velocimetry; light polarisation; optical bistability; semiconductor lasers; surface emitting lasers; Doppler-shifted optical feedback; laser Doppler velocimetry; linear polarization; polarization bistability; polarization-bistable VCSEL; rate equation model; semiconductor lasers; signal-to-noise ratio; single mode laser; speed-sensing applications; Equations; Laser applications; Laser feedback; Laser modes; Laser velocimetry; Optical feedback; Optical polarization; Semiconductor lasers; Surface emitting lasers; Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers; Bistability; laser Doppler velocimetry; polarization switching (PS); vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL);

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JSTQE.2004.836011

Filename

1366373