Chaotic dynamics of mode competition in a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser diode under DC excitation

We discuss the dynamics of transverse mode competition in an etched air-post vertical-cavity laser diode under dc excitation using an annular ring contact as a spatial filter. Distinct regions of operation are found for various ranges of fixed bias currents. At 1.5 times threshold, the device enters a region which exhibits chaotic fluctuations between the fundamental and a higher order lasing mode. The dynamics of these fluctuations are studied using the method of delays, and a calculation of the power spectrum and the correlation dimension are reported. It is found that the dynamics of the chaotic fluctuations have a correlation dimension of approximately 2.8. The results are indicative of a low-dimensional strange attractor underlying the modal competition noise.<
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