Self-pulsing and nonlinear dynamics in micro and nanolasers

We present recent experimental and theoretical results on the nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor micro and nanolasers. Self-pulsing dynamics is encountered both in a compact and monolithic microlaser with intracavity integrated saturable absorber and in photonic crystal nanolasers. We propose a scheme for achieving self-pulsing in nanolasers based on asymmetrically coupled cavities and study theoretically its implementation in a photonic-crystal based system. On the other hand, short pulses with duration as short as 35 ps with multi-GHz repetition rates are found. Short pulses are experimentally evidenced in a micropillar laser with saturable absorber together with excitable dynamics. We evidence the passage between gain-switching and excitability and show optical response with a refractory period less than 250 ps.