Topological hybrid silicon microlasers.

Area of Science:

• Topological physics
• Active photonic systems
• Integrated photonics

Background:

• Topological physics offers robust control of wave confinement and propagation.
• Current topological systems are limited by passive structures and restricted design parameters.
• Active systems, incorporating non-Hermiticity and nonlinearity, expand the possibilities for topological physics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate an active topological photonic system.
• To demonstrate a topological hybrid silicon microlaser array.
• To explore new symmetry paradigms in topological physics.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of an active topological photonic system.
• Design and fabrication of a hybrid silicon microlaser array.
• Exploitation of charge-conjugation symmetry in the system.
• Introduction of perturbations to test robustness.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of a topological hybrid silicon microlaser array.
• Observation of lasing from a protected topological zero mode.
• Robust single-mode laser action maintained despite introduced perturbations.
• Successful integration on a silicon-on-insulator substrate.

Conclusions:

• Active topological systems offer a broader design space for topological physics.
• The demonstrated microlaser exhibits robust topological properties.
• The hybrid silicon microlaser is suitable for integrated silicon photonics.
• Potential applications in optical communication and computing.