Polarization properties of self-pulsating VCSELs

We consider VCSELs operating in the fundamental transverse mode. Our theoretical framework combines the light polarization dynamics which is described by the so-called spin flip model with a description for the absorber region. We demonstrated that polarization self-pulsations in VCSELs are possible under certain operation conditions. As a result of analytical and numerical analysis of our model, we have found regions of stable operation, coupled pulsations of the polarization and the total intensity, and polarization self-pulsations at nearly constant total intensity.