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Fabrication And Characterization Of Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides And Cavities
Published on: November 30, 2012
Two-dimensional photonic band-Gap defect mode laser
1Departments of Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 12, 1999
Summary
Researchers demonstrate a novel laser cavity using a single defect in a 2D photonic crystal. This compact optical microcavity confines photons, enabling pulsed lasing action in an indium gallium arsenic phosphide material system.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Optoelectronics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Photonic crystals offer unique optical properties for light manipulation.
- Miniaturized laser cavities are crucial for integrated photonic circuits.
- Indium gallium arsenide phosphide (InGaAsP) is a key material for 1.55 micrometer optoelectronics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a laser cavity formed from a single defect in a 2D photonic crystal.
- To achieve efficient photon confinement in a sub-wavelength volume.
- To realize room-temperature lasing in a compact photonic crystal laser.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a 2D photonic crystal with a defect acting as an optical microcavity.
- Integration of strained quantum wells for optical gain.
- Optical pumping and characterization of lasing performance at low temperatures.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of an optical microcavity with vertical confinement by a waveguide and lateral confinement by a 2D photonic crystal mirror.
- Photon confinement within a small volume of approximately 0.03 cubic micrometers.
- Observation of pulsed lasing action at 1.5 micrometers from optically pumped devices at 143 Kelvin.
Conclusions:
- A single-defect 2D photonic crystal can form an efficient laser cavity.
- The demonstrated microcavity design enables significant light confinement.
- This work paves the way for highly integrated photonic devices and lasers.
