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Subwavelength micropillar array terahertz lasers
Optics Express
|February 12, 2014
Summary
Researchers developed novel terahertz lasers using subwavelength micropillars. These active photonic metamaterials enable efficient stimulated emission at 4 THz, paving the way for future nanowire laser technologies.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Terahertz Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Photonic crystal lasers typically utilize pillar structures larger than the emission wavelength.
- Active photonic metamaterials offer new avenues for laser design and miniaturization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the lasing properties of micropillar-based terahertz lasers with subwavelength active pillars.
- To explore the potential of scaled-down band-edge photonic crystal lasers as active photonic metamaterials.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of micropillar array lasers with pillar diameters significantly smaller than the terahertz emission wavelength.
- Measurement of stimulated emission spectra to identify lasing frequencies and regimes.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated stimulated emission at 4 THz from micropillar array lasers with 5 µm pillar diameters.
- Observed lasing emission in the effective medium regime, deviating from high-symmetry points typical of larger photonic crystal lasers.
- Confirmed the integration of active subwavelength optics within the terahertz laser architecture.
Conclusions:
- Micropillar array lasers with subwavelength active pillars represent a viable approach to terahertz laser development.
- These findings are crucial for advancing the realization of compact and efficient nanowire-based terahertz lasers.
- The study highlights the importance of the effective medium regime in the design of miniaturized photonic lasers.
