Single polarization, single transverse mode, and widely tunable narrow-linewidth laser from a multimode vertical cavity surface-emitting laser by use of a coupled cavity

A simple method for achieving a widely tunable narrow-linewidth, single polarization state and single transverse mode lasing oscillation from a commercially available multimode vertical cavity surface-emitting laser by use of a coupled cavity is reported. The laser has a wavelength tuning range of more than 5 nm along 850 nm, a side-mode suppression ratio of approximately 15 dB, and an output power of approximately 0.3 mW from a 50-microm multimode optical fiber at a bias current of 15 mA. The laser was operated in a single state of polarization lasing oscillation without any polarization switching.