Quantum cascade photonic-crystal microlasers

Raffaele Colombelli, Kartik Srinivasan, Mariano Troccoli, Oskar Painter, Claire F. Gmachl, Donald M. Tennant, A. Michael Sergent, Deborah L. Sivco, Alfred Y. Cho, Federico Capasso

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe the realization of Quantum Cascade photonic-crystal microlasers. Photonic and electronic band-structure engineering are combined to create a novel Quantum Cascade microcavity laser source. A high-index contrast two-dimensional photonic crystal forms a micro-resonator that provides feedback for laser action and diffracts light vertically from the surface of the semiconductor chip. A top metallic contact is used to form both a conductive path for current injection as well as to provide vertical optical confinement to the active region through a bound surface plasmon state at the metal-semiconductor interface. The device is miniaturized compared to standard Quantum Cascade technology, and the emission properties can in principle be engineered by design of the photonic crystal lattice. The combination of size reduction, vertical emission, and lithographic tailorability of the emission properties enabled by the use of a high-index contrast photonic crystal resonant cavity makes possible a number of active sensing applications in the mid- and far-infrared. In addition, the use of electrical pumping in these devices opens up another dimension of control for fundamental studies of photonic crystal and surface plasmon structures in linear, non-linear, and near-field optics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)228-239
Number of pages12
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume5365
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes
EventNovel In-Plane Semiconductor Lasers III - San Jose, CA, United States
Duration: Jan 26 2004Jan 28 2004

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Keywords

  • Microlasers
  • Photonic band-gaps
  • Photonic crystals
  • Quantum cascade lasers
  • Vertically emitting lasers

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