Very Wide Hysteresis Cycles in 1550-nm VCSELs Subject to Orthogonal Optical Injection

A first experimental observation of three different types of frequency-induced polarization bistabilities in 1550-nm single transverse and polarization mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) subject to orthogonal optical injection is described. The hysteresis width of the bistable region that appears at longer wavelegth detunings increases as the injected power or the VCSEL current increases. Very large hysteresis widths are obtained. These widths are more than seven times larger than previously reported widths.