Elliptical polarization emission from GaAlAs laser diodes in an external cavity configuration

We report the experimental operation of an external-cavity laser capable of oscillating in TE, TM, and elliptical-polarization states. An intracavity polarizer is used to force the laser to emit polarized radiation with TE and TM components whose wavelength can be changed by rotating the polarizer, a simple model based on the Jones matrix and steady-stale rate equations is used to explain experimental data. Theoretical results for near threshold operation accurately predict the TE and TM power as a function of polarizer angle as well as the polarization dependence of wavelength.