Numerical implementation of a VCSEL-based stochastic logic gate via polarization bistability

We study the interplay of polarization bistability, spontaneous emission noise and aperiodic current modulation in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). We demonstrate the phenomenon of logic stochastic resonance (LSR), by which the laser gives robust and reliable logic response to two logic inputs encoded in an aperiodic signal directly modulating the laser bias current. The probability of a correct response is controlled by the noise strength, and is equal to 1 in a wide region of noise strengths. LSR is associated with optimal noise-activated polarization switchings (the so-called inter-well dynamics if one considers the VCSEL as a bistable system described by a double-well potential) and optimal sensitivity to spontaneous emission in each polarization (the intra-well dynamics in the double-well potential picture). The robust nature of LSR in VCSELs offers interesting perspectives for novel applications and provides yet another example of a driven nonlinear optical system where noise can be employed constructively. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America