Mode switching in shear-strained and modulated photonic lattices by vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser arrays by means of injection locking

Mode switching in shear-strained (i.e., laterally shifted) lattices of vert ical cavity surface emitting laser arrays by means of injection locking is theoretically demonstrated. Switching between four- and six-lobed far-field s modes is examined near the critical value of lattice strain. Switching be tween localized modes of modulated lattices is also considered, and, as an example, mode switching of randomly disordered lattice is demonstrated. Bot h the shear-strained and the random disordered lattices are shown to be ide al candidates for all-optical switching devices. (C) 2000 American Institut e of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)04307-2].