PHOTON-SPIN CONTROLLED LASING OSCILLATION IN SURFACE-EMITTING LASERS

We report on photon-spin controlled lasing oscillation in GaAs surface -emitting lasers at room temperature. We demonstrate experimentally th at the partial electron-spin alignment, created by optically pumping t he GaAs laser active media with circularly polarized pulses, drastical ly changes the polarization state of the lasing output, causing circul arly polarized lasing emission. We discuss the laser polarization char acteristics in relation to the measured electron-spin relaxation time. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.