Ultra-low threshold THz microcavity lasers with sub-wavelength mode volumes

Author

Chassagneux, Y. ; Palomo, J. ; Colombelli, R. ; Barbieri, S. ; Dhillon, S. ; Sirtori, C. ; Beere, H. ; Alton, J. ; Ritchie, D.

Author_Institution

Univ. Paris Sud, Orsay

fYear

2007

fDate

6-11 May 2007

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

2

Abstract

We demonstrate terahertz microcavity lasers at lambda=112 mum with ultra-low current thresholds of 4 mA and with mode volumes of less than one-cubic-wavelength. Confinement in the longitudinal direction is obtained using almost-circular micro-disk resonators. The guiding properties of surface-plasmons are exploited to guide the mode with the metal contact. The devices laser up to 70 K in pulsed mode, and up to 60 K in continuous-wave.

Keywords

laser modes; microcavity lasers; microdisc lasers; quantum cascade lasers; submillimetre wave lasers; surface plasmons; almost-circular microdisk resonators; continuous-wave laser; current 4 mA; pulsed mode laser; quantum cascade lasers; sub-wavelength mode volumes; surface-plasmons; temperature 60 K; temperature 70 K; terahertz microcavity lasers; ultra-low threshold THz microcavity lasers; wavelength 112 mum; Geometrical optics; Laser modes; Microcavities; Optical resonators; Optical surface waves; Quantum cascade lasers; Semiconductor lasers; Surface waves; Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers; Waveguide lasers;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Lasers and Electro-Optics, 2007. CLEO 2007. Conference on

Conference_Location

Baltimore, MD

Print_ISBN

978-1-55752-834-6

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CLEO.2007.4453217

Filename

4453217