On-chip photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers

Abstract

Abstract Photonic crystal lasers can be realized either based on photonic bandgap defect-mode or defect-free bandedge mode, while the bandgap is not essential for the latter. In this chapter, we introduce types of photonic crystal bandedge mode-based surface-emitting membrane lasers for on-chip integration. We first discuss membrane reflector vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers based on single-layer photonic crystal membrane reflector with broadband reflections. We will discuss the cavity principles, design, and characteristics. Then, we will discuss on-chip photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs) based on photonic crystal bandedge mode near Γ-point. Cavity designs were carried out for the optimal modal overlap and high confinement factors. Lateral cavity size scaling was also investigated both theoretically and experimentally in PCSELs. Buried tunnel junction-based InGaAsP quantum well heterostructures were also designed and incorporated into electrically injected PCSELs. Finally discussions are given toward energy efficient lasers.