Fast polarization switching with memory effect in a vertical cavity surface emitting laser subject to modulated optical injection

The polarization state of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) output was driven by means of optical injection from another VCSEL. The bistability inherent to polarization locking allowed us to generate a memory effect. The control parameter was the modulated bias current of the maser laser and effects were shown to exist at frequencies up to 1 GHz.