Transverse mode competition and polarization selection in gain-guided Vertical
Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers are studied using a transverse continuous model
which incorporates basic physical mechanisms of polarization dynamics.
Polarization stability and polarization switching within the fundamental
Gaussian mode are described. The first order transverse mode always starts
lasing orthogonally polarized to the fundamental one. At larger currents
polarization coexistence with several active transverse modes occur. These
results are shown to be sensitive to the carrier spin-flip relaxation rate.
transverse.ps