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Electrically pumped InP-based microdisk lasers integrated with a nanophotonic silicon-on-insulator waveguide circuit
Optics Express
|June 24, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed a compact, electrically driven laser on silicon for integrated circuits. This breakthrough enables efficient light emission at 1.6 µm, crucial for advanced photonic devices.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Semiconductor Devices
Background:
- Compact, electrically driven light sources on silicon are essential for integrating electronic and photonic circuits.
- Existing technologies face challenges in achieving efficient light emission and integration on silicon platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate electrically injected continuous-wave lasing in InP-based microdisk lasers coupled to silicon wire waveguides.
- To achieve large-scale integration of light sources on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platforms.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of InP-based microdisk lasers (7.5 µm diameter, 1 µm thickness) on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) using heterogeneous integration.
- Incorporation of a tunnel junction for efficient p-side contacting of the pn-junction.
- Coupling of microdisk lasers to sub-micron silicon wire waveguides.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated electrically injected continuous-wave lasing at 1.6 µm.
- Achieved a low threshold current of 0.5 mA at room temperature with a threshold voltage of 1.65 V.
- Measured a slope efficiency of 30 µW/mA and a maximum unidirectional output power of 10 µW.
Conclusions:
- Successfully integrated InP-based microdisk lasers onto silicon using heterogeneous integration.
- The developed laser source is a key component for future silicon photonic integrated circuits.
- The low threshold current and efficient coupling demonstrate the potential for high-performance on-chip optical communication.
