Analogy between the quantum phase transition and the polarization switching of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Tsu-Chiang Yen; Yu-Heng Wu; Yueh-Chen Li; Wang-Chuang Kuo

doi:10.1117/12.2052041

2 May 2014 Analogy between the quantum phase transition and the polarization switching of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Tsu-Chiang Yen, Yu-Heng Wu, Yueh-Chen Li, Wang-Chuang Kuo

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9134, Semiconductor Lasers and Laser Dynamics VI; 91341Z (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2052041
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2014, Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

The phase transition in the polarization switching (PS) of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) was recently reported to be a second-order phase transition (SOPT). However, some features of this phase transition indicate that the VCSEL’s PS (VPS) is different from the traditional SOPTs. Most of the phase transition investigations of the laser employ the laser’s intensity as the order parameter. In Landau’s paradigm, that parameter evolutes from zero to non-zero values, or vice versa, during SOPTs, corresponding to a transition between a disordered phase and an ordered phase. Nevertheless, in the VPS, the laser’s intensity remains constant before and after the PS, revealing an order-to-order transition. Furthermore, the laser’s transverse modes cannot transfer to each other through continuous deformations in geometry. That feature attributes a topological characteristic to the laser’s transverse modes. The spatial coherence of the laser also implements a globally geometric characteristic to the laser’s output. Accordingly, there are two similarities between the VPS and quantum phase transitions (QPTs) with topological order. First, both of them belong to the orderto- order phase transitions. Second, in both transitions, two ground states are orthogonal, and are degenerate at the critical point. This paper investigated the analogy between the QPT with topological order and the VPS, exploring that the VPS has a potential to simulate the QPTs of other physical systems.

Citation Download Citation

Tsu-Chiang Yen, Yu-Heng Wu, Yueh-Chen Li, and Wang-Chuang Kuo "Analogy between the quantum phase transition and the polarization switching of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers", Proc. SPIE 9134, Semiconductor Lasers and Laser Dynamics VI, 91341Z (2 May 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2052041

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available