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A room-temperature semiconductor spaser operating near 1.5 μm.
R A Flynn1, C S Kim, I Vurgaftman
1Optical Sciences Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
Optics Express
|June 7, 2011
Summary
Researchers demonstrated room-temperature spasing of surface plasmon polaritons at 1.46 μm using a gold-film waveguide and InGaAs quantum wells. This breakthrough paves the way for electrically operated integrated microchips.
Area of Science:
- Optoelectronics
- Plasmonics
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are coherent oscillations of electrons at a metal-dielectric interface.
- Spasing, or stimulated emission, in plasmonic systems offers potential for compact light sources.
- Achieving room-temperature operation is crucial for practical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate room-temperature spasing of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) at a specific wavelength.
- To investigate the feasibility of using quantum-well gain media for SPP generation.
- To explore an architecture adaptable for integrated microelectronic devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a gold-film plasmonic waveguide.
- Integration of optically pumped Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) quantum-well gain media.
- Utilizing a flip-chip approach to create a 1-mm long cavity with cleaved facets for mirror feedback.
Main Results:
- Successful demonstration of room-temperature spasing of SPPs at 1.46 μm wavelength.
- Observed gain narrowing and transverse-magnetic polarization, characteristic of spasing.
- Achieved a pump threshold of approximately 60 kW/cm2 at 1.06 μm, consistent with theoretical calculations.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully demonstrated room-temperature spasing of SPPs using a novel waveguide architecture.
- The developed system exhibits key characteristics of spasing and aligns with theoretical predictions.
- The architecture is highly adaptable for future development towards all-electrical operation on integrated microchips.
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