Oscillation polarization selective semiconductor laser and optical communication system using the same

摘要

An oscillation polarization selective semiconductor laser that switches oscillation polarization modes between two different polarization modes includes a laser structure on a substrate. An active layer of the laser structure includes plural sets of quantum wells and barriers. The structure of at least one set of quantum wells and the barriers is different from the other sets so that the gain spectra generated in the active layer for induced mutually perpendicular propagation modes are selectively controlled by controlling the carrier density injected into the active layer. The oscillation polarization selective semiconductor laser may be used as a light source in optical communication systems.