Abstract

Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) emit linearly polarized light. The orientation of this polarization shows a tendency to align with the $\left[110/1\overline{1}0\right]$ crystalline axes. Clearly, some sort of anisotropy must be present in the VCSEL. In fact, introduction of intentional anisotropy, e.g. of the cavity geometry or the gain, can be used to enhance this polarization preference. So far, however, it is unclear what causes the $\left[110/1\overline{1}0\right]$preference for devices with no intentional anisotropy.

© 1996 IEEE