Stochastic resonance in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

We report a detailed experimental investigation of stochastic resonance (SR ) in the polarized emission of a pump-modulated vertical cavity surface emi tting laser. We characterize SR in the time and frequency domains, with a q uantitative agreement with existing theories. We further report a statistic al analysis of SR in terms of residence-time probability distributions exhi biting alternative features which are fully explained here. By using an acc urate choice of the indicator, we are also able to give clear evidence of b ona fide resonance.