Polarization dynamics and chaotic synchronization in unidirectionally coupled VCSELs subjected to optoelectronic feedback

Based on the framework of the spin-flip model (SFM), the polarization dynamics of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) subjected to optoelectronic feedback has been investigated numerically. The results show that nonlinear dynamics are similar to what have been observed in VCSELs with negative optoelectronic feedback, such as polarization switching (PS), antiphase and inphase fluctuations, mode competition and quasi-period routes to chaos. The difference between them is that VCSELs subjected to optoelectronic feedback emit only in the yLP mode if the feedback strength is large enough. Moreover, the synchronization performance of unidirectionally coupled VCSELs subjected to optoelectronic feedback has also been investigated. The polarized mode in the single mode region (region A) can achieve complete synchronization. Within the mixed-mode region (region B), the synchronization quality of polarized modes is not ideal.