Monolithic integration of a transparent dielectric waveguide into an active laser cavity by impurity-induced disordering

Abstract

In this letter we report the successful combination of a low-loss buried waveguide providing two-dimensional optical confinement with an active gain medium. We have thereby realized a planar and monolithic composite cavity laser where the laser cavity consists of distinct regions of optical gain combined with distinct regions of low-loss optical waveguide. The low threshold currents of these strucures (<10 mA) confirm the low loss and waveguiding nature of the waveguide regions. The ability to make these types of structures has applications for window lasers, monolithic waveguides, and monolithic integration of electrical and optical components.