Badilita, V.Carlin, J. F.Ilegems, M.Brunner, M.Verschaffelt, G.Panajotov, K.2010-10-052010-10-052010-10-05200410.1109/lpt.2003.821067https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/55028We report a novel three-contact vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) for use in polarization-sensitive optical applications. The device consists of two vertical cavities, coupled by a common mirror. We demonstrate that one can independently choose both the power of the output beam-through the current in the first cavity-and the polarization state-through the bias applied to the second cavity. The control of the polarization state is performed with a control voltage in the range -2 to 0 V. Within this interval, the structure exhibits a bistable behavior. We present the very first experimental proof of nonthermal, electrically induced polarization switching in coupled-cavities VCSELs.modulation responsemultisection devicespolarization switchingsurface-emitting laserstext::journal::journal article::research article