Patent ID: 7356064
Filing Date: 2008-04-08
Classification: H01S

Abstract:
1. A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) capable of polarization switching, comprising: a VCSEL cavity comprising top and bottom dielectric mirrors and an active region positioned between the top and the bottom dielectric mirrors, the active region being operable to emit light under excitation by an electric current and comprising a current aperture operable to confine the electric current; first and second top electrodes spaced from each other and disposed on the active region near a bottom periphery of the top mirror; first and second bottom electrodes spaced from each other and disposed on the bottom mirror near a bottom periphery of the active region, wherein the first top and the first bottom electrodes are approximately 180 degrees from each other to supply the electric current to the active region in a first direction to control the emitted light in a first polarization, and the second top and the second bottom electrodes are approximately 180 degrees from each other to supply the electric current to the active region in a second direction to control the emitted light in a second polarization; and a driver circuit coupled to the first and second top electrodes and the first and second bottom electrodes and operable to supply the electric current to flow in either of the first and the second directions and operable to switch the polarization of the emitted light between the first and the second polarizations.