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Topological insulator laser: Theory
Gal Harari1, Miguel A Bandres1, Yaakov Lumer2
1Physics Department and Solid State Institute, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 9, 2018
Summary
We introduce the topological insulator laser, a novel device utilizing topological edge states for robust, unidirectional light propagation. This laser offers high efficiency and single-mode operation, even in disordered systems.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Topological insulators feature robust edge states ideal for quantum computation and spintronics.
- Current laser technologies face limitations with disorder and achieving single-mode operation at high gain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and conceptualize the topological insulator laser.
- To explore topologically protected transport in systems with gain.
- To enable efficient, defect-robust, single-mode lasing.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical proposal leveraging topological properties of matter.
- Analysis of topologically protected transport without magnetic fields.
- Investigation of laser efficiency and robustness to disorder.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of a laser concept with topologically protected lasing modes.
- Achieved high efficiency and robustness against defects and disorder.
- Potential for single-mode lasing even at very high gain values.
Conclusions:
- The topological insulator laser offers a new paradigm for laser design, merging topological physics and photonics.
- This technology promises highly efficient, defect-tolerant lasers for advanced applications.
- Opens new avenues for research in topological physics and semiconductor laser arrays.
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