Ultracompact Pseudowedge Plasmonic Lasers and Laser Arrays

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Plasmonics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Plasmonic effects enable deep subwavelength light concentration for optoelectronic devices.
• Planar plasmonic waveguides offer 2D freedom, reducible via nanostructures for nanolaser cavities.
• Current research primarily focuses on planar surface plasmon polariton (SPP) nanolasers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To realize laser emission using pseudowedge SPP waveguides by combining nanometallic structures and ZnO nanowires.
• To investigate the light confinement capabilities of these novel pseudowedge structures.
• To demonstrate the potential for constructing compact plasmonic laser arrays.

Main Methods:

• Integration of nanometallic structures with ZnO nanowires.
• Fabrication of pseudowedge surface plasmon polariton waveguides.
• Characterization of laser emission properties and mode volumes.

Main Results:

• First demonstration of laser emission based on pseudowedge SPP waveguides.
• Achieved extremely small mode volumes, high group indices, and high spontaneous emission factors.
• Exhibited high Purcell factors, indicating strong light-matter interaction.

Conclusions:

• Pseudowedge plasmonic lasers offer superior performance compared to planar SPP nanolasers.
• The demonstrated technology enables the construction of compact plasmonic laser arrays.
• This advancement holds promise for integrated plasmonic circuits and advanced optoelectronic devices.